Edmund Ignatius Rice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedEdmund Ignatius Rice F.P.M., C.F.C. |
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| Religious, Founder, Missionary, Educator | |
| Born | 1 June 1762 Callan, Ireland |
| Died | 29 August 1844 (aged 82) Waterford, Ireland |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 6 October 1996, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Major shrine | Westcourt, Callan, Ireland International Heritage Centre, Mount Sion, Waterford, Ireland |
| Feast | 5 May |
| Attributes | Irish Christian Brothers' Black Habit |
Edmund Ignatius Rice (born June 1, 1762 – died August 29, 1844) was an amazing Irish teacher and founder. He started two special groups of religious brothers: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers. These groups were dedicated to helping children learn and grow.
Edmund Rice lived in Ireland during a time when it was hard for Catholic people to get a good education. Laws made it difficult for them to attend schools. Despite these challenges, Edmund became a successful businessman. Later, after a sad personal loss, he decided to dedicate his life to teaching poor children.
Today, schools all over the world, run by the Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers, continue to follow the kind and educational traditions that Edmund Rice began.
Contents
Edmund Rice's Early Life and Schooling
Edmund Ignatius Rice was born on a farm called "Westcourt" in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland. His parents were Robert and Margaret Rice. Edmund was one of seven sons, and he also had two older half-sisters.
During Edmund's childhood, laws in Ireland made it very hard for Catholic children to get an education. Teachers could even be punished for teaching the Catholic faith. Because of this, many children learned in secret schools, often called "hedge schools." Edmund and his brothers were taught at home by a kind friar named Patrick Grace. Later, Edmund attended a school in Kilkenny City for two years.
Becoming a Businessman
When Edmund was 17, he moved to Waterford to work for his uncle Michael. His uncle had a business trading livestock and other goods. Edmund learned a lot about business, including how to load supplies onto ships. When his uncle passed away in 1785, Edmund took over the successful business.
Edmund was also very kind and cared about people in need. He was part of a group that helped the poor and sick in their homes. He also joined a group of young men who met for prayer and reading.
A Sad Loss and New Path
Around 1785, Edmund married a young woman named Mary. Sadly, Mary passed away in January 1789 after an accident. Their daughter, also named Mary, was born around that time and needed special care. Edmund became a widower and had to care for his infant daughter. This sad event made him think deeply about his life's purpose.
Edmund Rice's Decision to Help Others
After his wife passed away, Edmund thought about becoming a monk. One day, he was talking with a bishop's sister. A group of poor, unkempt boys walked by. The sister pointed to them and asked Edmund if he would rather join a monastery far away than help these children. This question made Edmund think deeply.
In 1802, Edmund decided to sell his successful business. He wanted to spend his life helping the poor, especially children. He opened a simple school in a converted stable in Waterford. However, the children were very lively, and the first teachers found it hard to manage them.
Starting New Schools
Edmund realized he needed special teachers who were dedicated to helping these children. He decided to train teachers who would live a life of prayer and teach for free. His classes became very popular, and soon he opened another temporary school nearby.
Two young men, Thomas Grosvenor and Patrick Finn, came to help Edmund. They were inspired by his work. Together, they taught at Edmund's school. The success of these early schools led to building a more permanent place. Construction began on June 1, 1802, for a building called "Mount Sion."
The Mount Sion monastery was officially opened on June 7, 1803. Edmund, Thomas, and Patrick lived there. They walked to their schools each day until the new schoolhouse at Mount Sion was ready. On May 1, 1804, the new school opened, and all the students moved there.
With help from friends, Edmund received permission to open more schools. By 1806, Christian schools were helping children in Waterford and other towns like Carrick-on-Suir and Dungarvan.
Founding the Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers
In 1808, Edmund Rice and six other teachers made special promises to God. They became known as the Presentation Brothers. This was the first group of religious men started in Ireland by someone who wasn't a priest. Edmund and his brothers worked hard. They taught, clothed, and fed many boys who lived near the docks in Waterford. Their efforts truly changed the lives of these children. Soon, the Presentation Brothers' schools began to spread across Ireland.
Growing the Brotherhood
At first, each group of brothers was managed by the local bishop. This made it difficult to move brothers to different schools where they were needed most. Edmund wanted the groups to work together more easily. So, in 1820, he asked Pope Pius VII for special permission. The Pope agreed, allowing the brothers to form a larger group with one leader, called a Superior General.
The Pope's approval meant the brothers promised to live simply and dedicate themselves to teaching boys, especially those who were poor. Edmund Rice was chosen as the first Superior General. He served in this role from 1822 to 1838. This allowed him to send brothers to new schools in different areas. During this time, the schools also expanded into England and began teaching older students, not just young children.
Two Special Groups
As the work grew, the group eventually became two separate, but similar, communities. They were known as the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers. The Christian Brothers chose a motto: "The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord forever."
In 1828, Edmund Rice also established a house and schools in Dublin. A famous politician, Daniel O'Connell, helped lay the foundation stone. This building became the main center for the Brothers for many years. Edmund Rice himself lived there for some time, starting in 1831.
Later Life and Passing Away
In February 1838, Edmund Rice left the Dublin community. He returned to Mount Sion in Waterford. He was 76 years old and not in good health. He called for a meeting to choose a new Superior General. On July 24, 1838, Michael Paul Riordan was elected to take over from Edmund.
From then on, Edmund Rice spent more and more time at Mount Sion. He continued to show great interest in the students and their teachers. He enjoyed short walks on the slopes of Mount Sion. However, his arthritis became very painful, so a wheelchair was bought to help him.
Around Christmas in 1841, Edmund's health worsened. Although he didn't pass away immediately, he spent more time in his room. After being cared for by a nurse since May 1842, Edmund Rice passed away peacefully on August 29, 1844, at Mount Sion, Waterford. He was 81 years old. Many people gathered in the streets to honor him. His remains are still kept in a casket at Mount Sion today.
Beatification and Lasting Impact
The journey to recognize Edmund Rice as a saint began in 1911. People collected stories about his good deeds. In 1957, the process officially started in Dublin.
After many years of research and gathering evidence, Pope John Paul II declared Edmund Rice "venerable" on April 2, 1993. This was an important step towards sainthood.
A Special Event
In 1995, the same Pope approved a special event attributed to Edmund Rice. This event happened in 1976. A man named Kevin Ellison from Newry was very ill and doctors believed he had only 48 hours to live. A friend gave Kevin's parents a small piece of a relic of Edmund Rice.
Many friends prayed for Kevin, and a special church service was held. The relic of Edmund Rice was placed by Kevin's bedside. Kevin survived past the 48 hours. Doctors later found that he had recovered in a way they couldn't explain. Kevin fully recovered after a few weeks.
These events led to Edmund Rice's beatification on October 6, 1996, by Pope John Paul II. Beatification means he is recognized as "Blessed." His special day, or feast day, is celebrated on May 5.
Honoring His Memory
On August 29, 1944, Ireland's postal service released a postage stamp. It honored the 100th anniversary of Edmund Rice's passing.
A small piece of his kneecap, kept in a special container called a reliquary, is displayed at St Joseph's College in Stoke-on-Trent. This school is part of the Edmund Rice family of schools.
The Edmund Rice Centre is an organization in Australia. It was started in 1996. This center works to promote human rights, social justice, and care for the environment. They do research and educate communities. They especially focus on helping Indigenous Australians, asylum seekers in Australia, and people in the Pacific Islanders affected by climate change.
See also
In Spanish: In Spanish: Edmund Ignace Rice para niños
- Edmund Rice Camps
- Edmund Ignatius Rice, patron saint archive
Images for kids
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Plaque in memory of his daughter Mary at the cemetery of St. Molleran's Church, Carrickbeg
 | Delilah Pierce |
 | Gordon Parks |
 | Augusta Savage |
 | Charles Ethan Porter |
