EDMUND RICE

A Story Of Compassion

In June 1762 Edmund Rice was born in Callan Co. Kilkenny. He lived in a family of nine - two sisters and six brothers. Their family was quite a wealthy family. They also helped the poor.

When he was still a young boy, Edmund went to the local hedge school. He left the hedge school and went to another school in Kilkenny until he was seventeen. 

Edmund went to Waterford and worked for his Uncle Michael, a victualler. Edmund became very well known in Waterford for his generosity to the poor. 

Once at a party he met Mary Elliot and after a while they married. They opened their home in Ballybric to poor children. Then one day when Mary was pregnant she fell off her horse and died  as a result. Luckily the baby was saved but was retarded. Edmund gave his daughter everything from expensive dolls to silk dresses.

Edmund and his daughter moved to Arundel, which brought them closer to the cathedral. He received Holy Communion frequently. He went to church every Sunday and never missed a single ceremony. Edmund came up with an idea to start a school for the poor in Waterford. Edmund looked after a family of poor boys, gave them food and clothes and taught them. 

Other men joined him and helped with the work. Bishop Moylan came to the Brothers from Cork, looking for teachers. Edmund asked the Bishop to send men from Cork and Edmund would train them to be teachers. The men came and trained well. Then they returned to Cork. Edmund started the Congregation of Christian Brothers and became the first Superior General. So the Christian Brothers started up schools all over Ireland and helped the poor to get an education. The Brothers went overseas to help the poor in Third World countries. 

Edmund retired at the age of 76. He was suffering from arthritis, so he spent much of his time praying or chatting with young brothers. On the 29^th of August 1844, Edmund Rice died. Large crowds filled the streets around Mt. Sion in Waterford – Catholics and non-Catholics, rich and poor alike. He was buried in the grounds of Mt. Sion School and a memorial chapel was built to house his remains.

Edmund Rice was beatified many years later and is now known as Blessed Edmund Rice, and the Order he founded is spread all over the world..  

Birthplace of Edmund Rice at Callan, Co. Kilkenny (now a museum).

By Mark Takacs  (6th Class)                      

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