Faith and Mission
St Bede, the Venerable
On Tuesday 25 May, we celebrated the Feast of our College Patron; St Bede, the Venerable.
St Bede was born in 672 or 673 in Jarrow, a town between England and Scotland and died in 735, also in Jarrow. His mortal remains are buried at Buried at Durham Cathedral, England.
At the age of 7 years his parents sent him to a Benedictine monastery to be educated; he found study and writing among his favourite activities. At the age of 19 he became a deacon and was ordained a priest at the age of 30.
The saint’s life revolved around the monastic rhythm of prayer, work, study and teaching.
Saint Bede declared, “I was born on the lands of this monastery, and on reaching seven years of age, I was entrusted by my family first to the most reverend Abbot Benedict and later to Abbot Ceolfrid for my education. I have spent all the remainder of my life in this monastery and devoted myself entirely to the study of the Scriptures. And while I have observed the regular discipline and sung the choir offices daily in church, my chief delight has always been in study, teaching, and writing.”
- St Bede wrote books about science, history and religion. As an author and scholar, his best-known work is Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) – and was thereby called “father of English History”
In his final days, the story goes that he was too ill and weak to finish the translation on the Gospel of St John. His disciple scribe Wilbert said, “Dear master, there is yet one chapter to do, but it seems very hard for you to speak.”
“Nay, it is easy, take up thy pen and write quickly,” Saint Bede replied. The scribe wrote on. “And now, father, there is just one sentence more.” And Saint Bede finished the last line and breathed his last declaring, “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.”
St Bede’s Key Achievements include:
- Writing scripture commentaries in English (not Latin) so people could understand the Bible
- Popularising the dating system of BC and AD
- Working out the method for how Easter should be dated
- Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full Moon that occurs on or just after the Spring equinox (in the Northern hemisphere, so Autumn here).
- Writing about the equinox and the reason for the leap year
- Teaching that the world was round, “not like a shield but like a ball”
Saint Bede’s life was extraordinary, not only for his scholarly writings, but especially for his sanctity that earned him the title the “Venerable.” Saint Bede was gentle, affectionate and generous, a man filled with love for God and his fellow human beings, a man of faith and prayer. In 1899, he was canonized as a Saint.
“It is a good thing to be curious and inquisitive.” (St Bede)
It seems self-evident why our College was placed under the patronage of St Bede. May we be inspired by his love of learning and teaching and be teachers and scholars who have a true dedication to learning and inquiry.
St Mary of the Cross Catholic Parish
Justice Action Group Speaker
Do not miss the opportunity to hear Senator Lidia Thorpe speak to our community on Wednesday 9th June 7-8.30pm at St Louis de Montfort’s Church, 37 Dolphin St, Aspendale.
Lidia Thorpe is a Senator for Victoria, a proud Gunnai Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman. Lifelong activist and fighter for human rights, social justice and the environment.
In September 2020, Lidia took her seat as Victoria’s first Aboriginal Senator in the federal parliament.
Lidia Thorpe grew up in the Collingwood Housing Commission flats, the granddaughter of one of the founders of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, and is a life-long activist. She has raised three children, is a survivor of domestic violence, and completed her university education as an adult. Her professional background includes work in public policy, advocacy, small business, government and NGOs, always with a focus on activism and social justice.
Senator Thorpe’s presentation is certain to be thought provoking and inspiring. All are welcome, please come along.
see attachment below:
Susan Dornom
Parish Secretary
St Mary of the Cross Parish
St Louis de Montfort’s, Aspendale
& St Brigid’s, Mordialloc
Ria Greene
Deputy Principal
Faith and Mission