The four priests were part of a group of 38 who responded to an invitation by the rector of the Venerable English College (Mgr Nicholas Hudson) to be guests of the College. In addition to the diamond Jubilarians, there were 15 golden and 19 ruby Jubilarians. They got to Rome on Monday 7th November and went straight to Palazzola, the summer villa of the College overlooking Lake Albano, and opposite the Pope’s summer residence at Castelgandolfo.
On Wednesday 9 November they attended a General Audience with Pope Benedict. They enjoyed the hospitality of the Venerabile for lunch and a festal dinner. Bishop Michael Campbell one of the ruby Jubilarians presided at the Mass of Thanksgiving in the College that evening. In a speech after dinner the Rector pointed out that the Jubilarians represented some 1800 years of priesthood. ‘Thank you for offering yourselves for the priesthood all those years ago; thank you for your fidelity to your vocation that this year of Jubilee represents’. The customary ‘ad multos annos’ toast was then proposed and responded vocally by the students and other guests.
