Thursday, 02 February 2012

Last weekend saw the 650^th anniversary of the Foundation Deed which established an English and Welsh Hospice on the site occupied by the Venerable English College.

Its foundation in 1362 makes this the oldest English institution outside of England. From 1362-1579, it was a Hospice for English pilgrims to Rome.

In 1579, the house became a seminary for training Catholic priests; and so it has remained up to the present time.

On Friday the 27^th January, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor celebrated a votive Mass of St. Thomas of Canterbury (whom the hospice was named after). He was joined by English and Welsh bishops including the Archbishop of Cardiff and the Bishops of Lancaster, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Plymouth, as well as several former Rectors of the college, vice-rectors, academic staff and priests who trained in the college. Amongst the congregation were Trustees of the college and members of the Friends and Old Romans associations.

On Saturday 28^th there was a lecture on the history of the college and its role in English and European history given by the historian, Dr Judith Champ of Oscott College Birmingham, followed by vespers in the main church in front of the Martyrs’ picture.

On Sunday 29^th some 250 people gathered for the celebration of Mass followed by lunch in the college. Archbishop Nichols of Westminster was the principal celebrant. Presiding in choir was his predecessor, the Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, along with Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. English and Welsh bishops concelebrating were the Archbishop of Cardiff and the Bishops of Lancaster, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Plymouth along with the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Guatemala, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.The celebration weekend concluded with sung solemn vespers in the main church.

The Diocese of Salford was represented by Canon Anthony Kay, Vicar General, as well as current students Michael Deas and Joseph Gee, former students Mgr John Allen (who played a major role in the 600^th celebrations), Fr Anthony Grimshaw (former director of Palazzola, the College’s villa), Mgr John Marsland (President of Ushaw College and former Vice-Rector of VEC Rome), Fr Mark Harold (current Vice-Rector VEC Rome) and Rev Dr Gerard Byrne (Director of St Luke’s Institute and director of Human Formation at the VEC).