On Sunday 26 January a group from the Beda went to Domus Australia to celebrate Australia Day. Sydney Archbishop, Anthony Fisher OP presided at the Mass and the occasion was attended by a large contingent of Australians currently living in Rome. Beda students particularly involved were Damien Locke as MC, Alex Chow as organist and Ignatius Tan as thurifer. Sister Carmel FMDM, who spent many years in Australia, was one of the readers.

To mark the feast of Our Lady, Queen of Prophets, the Beda presented to the convent of Mater Dei a copy of their famous icon, based on the frescos in the Catacombe of Santa Priscilla. It was specially prepared for them by Beda student Matthew Bond and presented by the Rector. Links between Mater Dei Convent and the Catholic Church in England go back a long way. An article with the full story is on the history page..

Staff and students enjoyed the opportunity to attend an Ecumenical Service of Vespers in St Paul's Basilica yesterday, presided over by Pope Francis. The theme of "Unusual kindness", chosen for this year by Malta, was continued in the Vespers and in the Pope's address. This annual Service, when the Pope greets personally the leaders of many different Christian Denominations, brings the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to an end.

"They showed us unusual kindness" (Acts 28:2) was the theme chosen by Malta for this year's Unity Week Services. At the Beda, a larger than usual gathering of ministers and representatives from the Christian Churches in Rome celebrated this, inspired by the Homily given by the Methodist Minister in Rome, Dr Daniel Pratt Morris-Chapman. The "Unusual Kindness" extended to traditional Beda hospitality which was enjoyed by all.

As part of their course on Early Church History, a gita to the Scavi under St Peter's was organised for Tuesday 14th January by their professor, Mgr Ciaran O'Carroll. Unfortunately Mgr O'Carroll couldn't join them on the day but they all enjoyed their 'educational' visit.

With the end of the Christmas season, the college has already been back at work for a week, enjoying clear blue skies every day, and beginning to look towards the end of semester exams early in February. At this time, the Rector's message for the New Year expresses our wishes for the whole Beda family: Buon Proseguimento - a good continuation of your year.