Students aged 60

By Mgr. Charles Duchemin
Rector of the Beda College
WHEN we think about vocations, " what has the Beda to do with them? What is the Beda anyhow? The word is Latin for the English saint and scholar, the Venerable Bede, and to him is dedicated a Papal College in Rome for training a special type of man for the priesthood. Only men over 24 years of age are admitted and they must previously be adopted and sent by a Bishop. There is no maximum age limit; several students are over 60. hut the average man is from 35 to 40 years old.
Every walk in life is represented, the army. the navy, the air force, diplomacy, medicine, law, the stage. the school room, the office and the workshop. Even the sporting world has sent candidates. one student was a bookmaker. another a prize fighter who is now (as curate in an industrial town) adored by the young pugilists.
A number of ministers of other religions who, with the help of grace have come to see that they had only part of the truth, find at the Beda a home where they can he prepared for Holy Orders. Finally at the Beda there are newly ordained priests who are sent to Rome for higher studies which can be carried on more easily in the wider disciplinary framework of the Bede.
Nothing left out
THE Beda is a seminary in the fullest sense of the word, and is under the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries in Rome, The Rector is appointed by the Pope and holds office from him. The life is adapted to older men. The length of the studies is shortened, but no essential element is omitted. The work is concentrated into less time. The rules and routine of the day follow exactly those of an ordinary seminary, except where they are modified to meet the needs and powers of older men.
The scholastic character of the instruction is maintained by the use of the ordinary I ettiis text-books, but its understanding is made easier by lectures given in English. The three main subjects, philosophy, dogmatic and moral theology, are supplemented by lectures in canon law. Church history, sacred scriptures, pastoral theology and liturgy.
All the services of the Church are carried out, in addition to High Mass on Sundays and Feast Days; in this way a knowledge of Gregorian chant is acquired. No educational institution will flourish if opportunity is not given for lighter occupation. In Rome the great historical churches with their traditional feasts, the many arehxological treasures and the pleasant hill towns surrounding the city provide this necessary recreation, while adding to the general culture of those who enjoy them.
The Becht sends out an average of eight to 10 new priests each year. The total number of places available is 54 and that does not meet the demands; some would-be students are disappointed each year through want of accommodation.
Few but valuable
THE Bede numbers are small, but they have their value. These "late vocations" can use their former experience with the world to introduce the great truths of Christianity to people hitherto untouched. St. Peter the fisherman was promised the power to use his former skill for the catching of men, and St. Paul called upon his secular knowledge to insinuate his preaching into the minds of the unbelieving Athenians,
There is no competition between the Beda and other seminaries. Each institution meets a different need. Its these days when the demand for priests has exceeded the supply, we may well call into action every means of increasing the number of spirituar fathers.