On Sunday 26 March the community of the Venerable English College came to the Beda for Mass and lunch. For twenty years the Beda – in alternate years during Lent - has hosted either the Scots/Irish Colleges or the VEC. We have called it the Oasis Sunday and it usually falls on mid-Lent Sunday. It is a warm and friendly occasion; celebrating Mass together, followed by lunch. It is quite remarkable how much better we know each other afterwards. This year Fr Stephen Wang (VEC Rector) preached at Mass and received a small gift from the Beda community to mark his twenty fifth anniversary of ordination.

Each year the College welcomes the representatives from the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales who have responsibility for the overseas seminaries. We were very happy to host Archbishop Mark O’Toole (Cardiff and Menevia), Archbishop John Wilson (Southwark) and Bishop John Sherrington (Westminster) for two days. It is a formal visitation, meeting with Personale, Students and Staff; checking out new developments and refurbishments in the House, and joining in the process of visioning for the future. It is fully immersive - a sort of experiential quarantore. In more relaxed mode – see photographs - it is sometimes referred to it as our annual MOT!

This was a happy day for three of our students as they were called to the Ministry of Acolyte. The Rector presided and encouraged the candidates to work for the ‘good of the Church’. Louis Osei osb, Cassian Shayo osb and Philip Thornley (Leeds) were supported by their guests and the whole College community. It was a joy to have so many Benedictines present for this joyous occasion.

3-5 March 2023 Nemi. This weekend on Human Development, with a focus on Sexuality, took place at the SVD Retreat House in Nemi from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 March 2023. It happens every other year, with Safeguarding being the theme for the alternate year. Fr Brendan has led sessions, very successfully, for us before. It was nicely paced with care being taken to ensure all the participants were not overwhelmed or uncomfortable. In fact, it was a ‘lift’ for everyone to be able to reflect on sexuality in a positive and joyful way. The large group numbered sixteen in total, and three smaller discussion groups worked in easy accord. It was an excellent combination of ‘input’ and ‘group reflection’.