The 'Lent Oasis' has been a feature of Beda hospitality for many years. This year it was the turn of the staff and students from Venerable English College to visit us for Mass and lunch. The tradition goes back to the time twenty years ago when the English College had to vacate their premises for several months and some stayed at the Beda for that time. Almost 75 people sat down at lunch today for a festive mid-Lent Sunday, truly expressing our mutual friendship and shared purpose.

Over recent years, the Beda has been active in encouraging older men to put themselves forward for priesthood. Often an idea about priesthood has been at the back of someone's mind and they simply haven't done anything about it. We have run two successful discernment weekends at St Beuno's Retreat Centre in north Wales and a further one is planned for the end of August this year. There are still places available on this and anyone interested can find details and a link to a booking form on the Beda Website, (Beda Life/ Vocations Promotion/ Discernment weekend).

On Saturday, 23rd March, some First and Second Year students visited the ancient site of Ostia Antica. Their guide was Fr Alberto de Mingo, a Redemptorist priest who teaches New Testament at the Beda. Ostia Antica is the well preserved archeological site of the ancient port of Ostia. It was a fascinating and enjoyable visit for all who took part. Very many thanks to Fr Alberto for his guidance and knowledge.

A weekly film in the student common room on Sunday evenings has been a feature of Beda life for some time. A new innovation this year is that in addition to Sunday's film, on Friday evenings throughout Lent a film with a religious theme will be shown for those who wish. Last week, the film was 'Mary Magdalene', this Friday it is, 'Of Gods and Men', and that will be followed in subsequent weeks by four installments of the Zeffirelli epic 'Jesus of Nazareth'.

The Beda was privileged to have as guests for lunch today the General Council of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross who are meeting in Rome this week. One of their Order, Brother Thomas Varavunkal, has been a student with us for nearly four years and in September will be ordained priest in Kerala. The Council wanted to thank the Beda for the formation Thomas has received and for the links of friendship which have been made between the Order and the Beda. We ask their prayers for our work, and promise our prayerful support for their continuing ministry.

Our season of Lent began today with Morning Prayer of Ash Wednesday, fasting at lunch and supper, and an evening Mass with the blessing and distribution of ashes. Earlier in the day, at the crack of dawn, some students had gone to the first Lenten Station Mass at Santa Sabina. During Lent, the traditional Beda practice of those students who wish being able to visit the 7.00am Station Mass at one of the Roman Churches will continue.

The second semester at the Beda began three weeks ago and we have basked in warm sunshine for most of the time so far. An excellent in-house retreat for the 1st and 2nd year groups was given by the Bishop of Aberdeen, Hugh Gilbert, while 3rd and 4th Years held their pre-ordination retreats in Nemi. Since the retreats, lectures have resumed and 2nd and 3rd years have had a study weekend in Nemi. With Spring and Lent round the corner, we ask the continued prayers of all our supporters and benefactors.