To mark 120 years of being called the 'Beda', and on the anniversary of the of the opening of the present building by Pope St John XXIII in 1960, Professor Karen Kilby gave a lecture to staff, students and invited guests on "St Bede and St Romero, Stories of Vocation". Professor Kilby holds the Bede Chair of Catholic Theology at Durham University and her inspiring talk explored the joys and sufferings of vocation through the contrasting lives of Bede and Romero. Click the title above to link to an audio recording of the lecture.

Beda staff and students attended the Papal Mass in St Peter's Square this morning when seven new saints were canonised including St Paul VI and St Oscar Romero. On a bright sunny morning we took advantage of our residence in Rome to join thousands of pilgrims from all over the world who had come specially to celebrate and honour these models of Christian life. The memory of this truly special event will inspire us, and everyone who took part, long into the future.

Over the summer, the college library has undergone a major refurbishment, payed for by a very generous legacy (legacies to the Beda are ALWAYS welcome!). This has been a major work involving strengthening the floor, installing air conditioning and refitting new shelves and furnishings. The reading room has been incorporated into the open plan library. The finishing touches are now complete and the library is in use. See photos of the work in progress on the Flickr page.

The launch of the Beda Review 2017-1018 took place before lunch today. The Rector commended editor Mike Brooks and assistant editor Alan Hodgson for an excellent production and copies were made available to students and staff. The launch followed the opening Mass of the new year celebrated by the Rector. The Review is now available on the Beda Life page.

As we prepare for the launch of the latest Beda Review on Sunday, and as the academic programme begins on Monday, we publish an article by Fr Jim Downey OSA who taught Scripture for many years at the Beda before retiring a year ago. This humorous and perceptive article will be of special interest to those who were taught by Fr Downey. Click the title above to go to the Beda Review page.

A very successful time of induction for the new students ended today with a slight variation. Usually the induction concludes with attendance at the Wednesday Papal Audience. This year however, the Mass for the opening of the Synod replaced the audience so our students got their first taste of a papal Mass in St Peter's Square. Most students have now returned to college. At the weekend there is a time of Recollection for the whole house and lectures begin on Monday. Photographs of the induction can be found by clicking the title above and following the link.

The UK bishops enjoyed the hospitality of the Beda this week during their Ad Limina visits. On Friday evening, 28th September, we entertained about 40 bishops from England and Wales for a relaxed evening meal, following their busy week of meetings with the Dicasteries in the Vatican. This morning, 1st October, the bishops of Scotland came for breakfast after their Mass in St Paul's Basilica. Both Bishops' Conferences leave the Beda with grateful memories and with a promise of our prayers.