Edmund Rice Birthday Anniversary Celebrations

The inspiration of Edmund Rice living across our network

We grow in the spirit of Edmund Rice when we identify it in others

Br Peter Dowling noted the many ways the spirit of Edmund Rice lives both globally and across the Oceania region.

“One of the main ways we grow in the spirit of Edmund Rice is how we identify it in others”

Varina Kharumnuid is a head teacher in Providence SSA Up School.

The school was originally set-up for years 6-8 in North East India by Christian Brother Steve D’Souza. He had a vision as a great educator to be able to provide education to those who couldn't receive it - helping those off the streets. From a tiny room with five students in 2000, there are now 300 pupils, and the rewards are immense, as most of the young people go on to get jobs, or attend third level education.

Varina was an assistant to Br Steve D’Souza and continues working in the school to this day. She enabled the life of the school to grow after Steve set it up.

Another teacher in the Edmund Rice tradition who is rich in the founder’s spirit is Jose Santa Cruz. Jose teaches at Fe y Alegria 26 in Lima, Peru. Here at this Edmund Rice school, the teaching staff are educating over 1400 young people from some of the poorest areas of Peru. The school has been led and supported by the Christian Brothers since 1993.

Br Joseph Go Meh in Sierra Leone, in the Edmund Rice tradition, similarly spreads the message of education for all. As a teacher he is assisting some of the poorest students in his village, thus embodying the spirit of Edmund Rice in sharing his wisdom, time and skills.

Br Peter concluded that in the Edmund Rice community, celebrating the birth of our founder means rejoicing and remembering our origin story so that we may better fulfil that purpose.

Edmund Rice’s Challenges

Br Gerard Brady reflects on Edmund’s tribulations and indefatigable spirit

Having grown up in a blended family, Edmund moved from Callan to Waterford to apprentice with his uncle. We know that when Edmund Rice was living in Waterford he enjoyed a successful career as a prosperous business owner, after succeeding his uncle in the family business.

But, struck by personal tragedy after the loss of his wife and the birth of his daughter, Edmund took heart from his faith and faced the challenges head on. Edmund began his outreach to the poor and uneducated boys of Waterford.

Founded in 1802, the congregation of Christian Brothers set about the Christian education of poor boys.

The sharp class divisions in Irish society at the time manifested in conflict and social tensions. As Daire Keogh explains, for Edmund and the Christian Brothers in the early years, their challenges and responsibilities were guided by “not simply politics or faith but by a combination of the two”. Edmund himself faced much opposition as an educational leader as, at the time, the British Government was formalising educational standards which was perceived by many as secularising Irish society.

Br Gerard urged us to reflect on the many, almost insurmountable challenges the young Edmund faced - from the church, from government and even from some in his inner ranks. In particular, Gerard highlighted the opposition Edmund faced in 1821 when he was trying to spread the educational reach of his Brothers as lay religious outside the jurisdiction of the Bishop. The need as Edmund saw it, was compelling - so many poor youth in Irish society required care and education.

Initially, Edmund had a dream and a vision for what might emerge and, at times, it was obstructed.

In thinking on Edmund’s tribulations, Gerard emphasised the human and loving nature of Edmund Rice which was in communion with that of the divine Holy Spirit. And it was this spirit, despite many challenges, that is what we draw on for our purpose and mission to this day.