Presentation Brothers facts for kids
The Congregation of Presentation Brothers are a group of Catholic laymen. This means they are not priests, but they dedicate their lives to God. They were started in 1802 in Waterford, Ireland, by an Irish businessman named Edmund Ignatius Rice. He is now known as Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice.
Today, about 100 Presentation Brothers live and work in many countries. These include Ireland, England, the USA, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Grenada. The Brothers make three special promises: to live simply (poverty), to remain unmarried (chastity), and to obey their leaders (obedience). They live together in small groups called "communities." Their motto is "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam", which means "For the greater glory of God." You can often see the letters F.P.M. after their names, which stands for Fratres Presentationis Mariae (Brothers of the Presentation of Mary).
The main goal of the Presentation Brothers is to "form Christ in the young." This means they aim to help young people grow in their faith and become good people. For a long time, they did this mostly through education. But today, they help people in many other ways too. They work with people who are homeless, the elderly, young people who are struggling, and the Roma community. In 2007, they started new missions in Slovakia and Nigeria. They also opened an office in Geneva to speak up for the poor.
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History of the Brothers
The Presentation Brothers were founded by Edmund Rice in Waterford, Ireland, in 1802.
Edmund Rice's Early Life
Edmund Ignatius Rice Edmund Rice was born on June 1, 1762, in a place called Westcourt, near Callan in County Kilkenny, Ireland. His parents, Robert and Margaret Rice, were successful farmers. His family spoke Irish, but they also spoke English for their business.
In 1762, Ireland was ruled by the British. There were strict laws called the Penal Laws that stopped Catholics from getting an education. Edmund went to a "hedge school," which was an illegal school run by traveling teachers. Later, these laws became less strict, and he was able to go to a proper school in Kilkenny.
Edmund's Business and Family
When he was 17, Edmund started working for his uncle, Michael Rice, in Waterford city. At that time, Waterford was one of the busiest ports in the world. After seven years, his uncle gave the business to Edmund. He was a very smart businessman and used his money to buy land and property.
At 25, Edmund married Mary Elliot. She was the daughter of a local businessman. Sadly, Mary died in a horse riding accident while she was pregnant. Her baby, named Mary, was born with a disability. Edmund's step-sister, Joan, took care of the baby.
Starting His Mission
After his wife died, Edmund became more religious. He felt a strong connection to Saint Teresa of Jesus. He also started helping people in need. He often visited the poor in Waterford and gave them money.
In 1798, Edmund helped the Presentation Sisters open a convent and school for girls in Waterford. He then decided to do something similar for boys. In 1800, he began teaching young boys at his business place with the help of some volunteers. The next year, he turned some old stables on New Street into a temporary school. His friends thought it was a crazy idea! Two men, Thomas Grosvenor and Patrick Finn, came to help him. The three men lived above the stables while a monastery was being built.
How the Congregations Grew
In the beginning, Edmund and his followers formed a small group. They lived together and followed a set of rules similar to those of the Presentation Sisters. The Pope had already approved these rules.
In 1832, the Pope approved a new set of rules for Religious Brothers. This meant Edmund, as the leader, could move Brothers between different areas without needing permission from each local bishop. Most of the Brothers accepted these new rules and became the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Today, these Christian Brothers are in 17 different countries.
However, a few Brothers, led by Brother Michael Augustine Riordan in Cork, decided to stay under the local bishop's control. They continued to follow the original Presentation Rule. In 1889, they officially became a Pontifical Institute, which means they are directly under the Pope's authority. These are the Presentation Brothers we know today. They have a special devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Where the Brothers Expanded
In 1876, the first Presentation school outside Ireland opened in England. Like the Christian Brothers, the Presentation Brothers have followed the example of famous Irish missionaries like Brendan and Colmcille. They have responded to different needs in various places and situations, just as they believe Edmund Rice would have done. Presentation Brothers College, Cork was founded in 1878.
The Presentation Brothers have opened schools and missions in many countries:
- U.S.A. (1843)
- England (1876)
- Canada (1910)
- West Indies (1946)
- Ghana (1968)
- Peru (1969)
- Geneva (2007)
- Nigeria (2007)
- Slovakia (2007)
The Leadership Education and Formation (L.E.A.F) Project is run by the Presentation Brothers. It is based at Mount St. Joseph's in Cork, Ireland.
Headquarters
The main office for the Presentation Brothers is called the Generalate. It is located at Mount St. Joseph, Blarney Street, in Cork, Ireland. This building was first built as a study house and has been home to the Brothers since 1892.
Provinces Around the World
There are about 350 Presentation Brothers living in 22 communities across 7 countries. The congregation is divided into three main areas called Provinces:
- Anglo-Irish Province (Ireland, England)
- Our Lady of the Americas Province (Canada, USA, Grenada)
- Ghana Province (Ghana, Nigeria)
Schools Run by Presentation Brothers
- Presentation Brothers College, Cork, Ireland
- Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Cork, Ireland
- Presentation College, Bray, Wicklow, Ireland
- St. Aloysius Grade School, Montreal, Canada
- Brebeuf College School, Toronto, Canada
- Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork, Ireland
- Coláiste Mhuire, Cobh, Ireland
- Scoil Iosaef Naofa, Cobh, Ireland
- Presentation College, San Fernando, Trinidad
- Presentation Brothers College, Grenada
- Presentation College Chaguanas, Trinidad
- Presentation Secondary Miltown, Kerry, Ireland
- Scoil Chríost Rí, Cork
- Presentation College, Carlow
- St Mary's College, Vigie, St. Lucia.
Former Schools
- Presentation College, Reading, England
- Presentation High School, Montebello, Quebec
- Verdun Catholic High School, Verdun, Quebec
- Daniel O'Connell School, Montreal, Quebec
- Sacred Heart Elementary School, Prince George, British Columbia
- Presentation College, Saint John, Barbados
- St Joseph's College Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
- Presentation College Glasthule, Leinster, Ireland
Famous People Who Attended These Schools
Many notable people have attended schools run by the Presentation Brothers:
- Michael Bond, author of the Paddington Bear books (Reading)
- Joseph Boyden, author of "Three Day Road" (Brebeuf)
- Marc Kielburger, co-founder of Me to We and Free the Children (Brebeuf)
- John McGahern, author (Presentation College Leitrim)
- Patrick Manning, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago (Pres San Fernando)
- Micheál Martin, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland (Coláiste Chríost Rí). He also taught at Presentation College, Cork.
- Cillian Murphy, actor (Pres Cork)
- Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster (Reading & Cork)
- Seán Ó Faoláin, author (Pres Cork)
- Joseph Kelly, Editor and CEO of the Universe Catholic newspaper (Reading)
- Michael O'Leary, former Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) (Pres Cork)
- Mike Oldfield, musician (Reading)
- Basdeo Panday, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago (Pres San Fernando)
- Many Irish rugby players, including Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, and coach Declan Kidney.
- Anthony Carmona, former President of Trinidad and Tobago (Pres San Fernando)
- Jack Warner, former Vice President of FIFA (Pres Chaguanas)
- Lawrie Sanchez, footballer and football manager (Reading)
- Gerard Johnson, musician and composer (Reading)
- Damian Thompson, Journalist (Reading)
- Hon. Keith Claudius Mitchell, current Prime Minister of Grenada (Presentation Brothers College Grenada)
- Mr. Maurice Bishop, former Prime Minister of Grenada (Presentation Brothers College Grenada)
