Blessed Edmund Rice
"Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children's hearts later on." - Edmund Rice
Edmund Rice grew up in a wealthy family, wanting for nothing. However, he quickly became aware that not everyone shared the comforts he enjoyed. Inspired by his mother's dedication to charity and by his deep admiration for the works of Jesus, Edmund recognized the profound needs of the poorest in his community, especially young destitute boys, often referred to as "street urchins."
Without concern for his own comfort or well-being, he channeled his strong sense of empathy and devotion into a life dedicated to educating, feeding, clothing, and sheltering those overlooked by society.
Edmund was not alone in his mission to provide education and religious instruction to these young men. Other like-minded individuals, inspired by his passionate vision and the transformative impact they saw on students, joined him in teaching at his first school. In 1802, Edmund Rice and seven of his colleagues took religious vows, forming the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers' motto, facere et docere, meaning "to do and to teach," continues to resonate in the work these men carry out across six continents, 25 countries, and over 500 schools.
Brother Rice High School is honored to carry forward this proud tradition, with the words and ideals of Edmund Rice resonating through our Mission Statement, morning prayers, and the spirit of compassion that permeates our campus.
On October 5, 1996, Pope John Paul II beatified Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice in Rome, giving him the title Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice. His feast day is celebrated annually on May 5th.
The life of Blessed Edmund Rice is motivational and spiritually inspires generosity.
- Edmund Rice's guiding inspiration came from the spiritual passage in the Book of Job: "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." This profound faith motivated him to use his personal resources to fund the construction of schools, making significant personal sacrifices to support his mission of education and service.
- In 1832, as a true testament of the Lord living within each of us, Edmund Rice requested the Brothers to conclude their religious exercises with the aspiration: "Live, Jesus, in our hearts." to which everyone answers: "Forever!"
- Ricean Education was designed to overturn the government theory that national equilibrium would be maintained by keeping the desperately poor, lower classes uneducated and resigned to their station in life. By offering education, Edmund Rice restored dignity to the poor, empowering them to rise above their circumstances and transform their futures.
- Edmund Rice envisioned establishing Pay Schools, where children from the middle class would pay tuition to help fund the education of the poor. He also sought to integrate students from both classes, believing that this interaction would foster mutual understanding and appreciation of each other's life circumstances and lifestyles.
- The Mount Sion school accommodated around 100 boys per classroom, with older boys serving as 'monitors' to assist the Brothers in managing the class. This peer mentorship model is reflected today in Brother Rice High School’s Band of Brothers program where students take on leadership roles, fostering a sense of responsibility and community.
- Click here to learn more about the life of Edmund Rice, an 18th-century Irishman who had everything one could aspire to in the Western world. Successful in business, enjoyed sports, and led a privileged social life, Edmund stood apart from the typical wealthy and powerful figures whose attachment to material wealth often dims their spiritual vision. Instead of building mansions to enhance his prestige, Edmund chose to build schools, offering hope and opportunity to children neglected by society. His legacy is one of compassion, service, and genuine devotion to the poor.
- Click here to explore the Essential Elements of a Christian Brother Education.
