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Blessed Edmund Rice
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Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers, was born in Ireland in 1762. The son of a prosperous farmer, he grew to become a successful and influential merchant in the city of Waterford, where he was known as a devout Catholic and generous benefactor to the poor. After a brief marriage, tragically ended by his wife's death in a riding accident, the widowed Edmund found strength and comfort in prayer, scripture reading and the Eucharist. His concern for the poor began to focus on the education and care of street children in the city. His aim was that they might come to know God through their Catholic faith and he was convinced that education would enable them to rise out of their impoverished state.
Edmund gave up his comfortable home for a room above the stable which served as his first school. He supported the venture financially by the profits from his business. Other young Waterford men, impressed by his example, joined him in his service to the poor. His first permanent school building, Mt. Zion, included a tailor shop and bakery, that the students might be fed and clothed. Edmund and his "brothers" took their first vows in 1808, as members of the Society of the Presentation under authority of the local bishop. By 1820, the group had so expanded throughout Ireland that Pope Paul VI granted them status as a pontifical congregation. The rule of the congregation was officially ratified by the General Chapter of 1832 and the Irish Christian Brothers were born. With the Beatification of Edmund Rice by Pope John Paul 11 on October 6, 1996, Edmund was declared Blessed and recognized as a man of heroic virtue with miracles attributed to his Intercession.
Today, the Congregation of Christian Brothers consists of more than 2600 brothers, with its Generalate in Rome and 350 communities in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Great Britain, South Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as in mission houses throughout South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the African Continent.
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is dedicated to providing a strong, value-centered, Christian education on behalf of the materially poor. The Christian Brothers are lay religious who are missioned by the Church for the evangelization of youth and the education and care of the materially poor. The Congregation of Christian Brothers has successfully provided this education for almost two hundred years in 250 schools and colleges throughout the world.
The Eastern American Province consists of 250 brothers in 26 communities, as well as a mission in Peru with 5 communities. Brothers profess vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As Brothers, they commit their life to that of ministry and prayer. The links below provide more information on the Congregation of Christian Brothers.
For information about the Congregation of Christian Brothers and a vocation as a Christian Brother, visit www.iona.edu/about/CFC/Brotherhood.htm.
For information about the formation process for becoming a Christian Brother, visit www.iona.edu/advancement/grants/CFC/FormationProcess.htm.