The Beda academic year 2018-19 ends today and students return to their homes and dioceses for pastoral work and holiday over the summer. News from the Beda will also take a rest and will return when the new semester begins in September. Thirty two photo albums from this year are available here (click the photo)

Ordinations to the diaconate took place today in St Paul’s Basilica. Adrian Lowe from Brentwood and Norman Allred from Meath in Ireland were ordained by Meath Bishop Tom, Deenihan, Congratulations to both new deacons. Click the picture above for 150 more photos of the day.

Eighteen Beda students are due to be ordained to the priesthood during the current calendar year. To see the list with the dates of ordination, click on this heading.

In the morning we celebrated Mass in the Shrine of Our Lady near Rome, Divino Amore. This was followed by a relaxed lunch by the sea and a visit to the British War Cemetery in Anzio. See photos here.

Friends, relatives and guests of the Beda community gathered in the evening sunshine for the annual barbecue. Click here to see photos of this event.

The traditional lunch to thank those who are leaving took place today. In turn the Student Dean, speaking on behalf of the twelve who are leaving this summer, thanked the staff, the other students and the personale for the support and help they had received in their four years here. We wish them all well as they move on to new pastures.

Two short YouTube pieces from Brendan's Ordination to priesthood on 31st May.

The 1st of June - and finally the sun is shining with some power after one of the coldest and dampest Mays on record here in Rome. The cooler weather has had some advantages: it has been more comfortable for studying during exam week and the mosquitos have kept their distance. But with exams due to finish on Monday, we hope that the warmer weather is here to stay. So far, the prospects are good for the Barbecue on Wednesday and the Rector's gita to Anzio on Thursday.