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Edmund Rice
was born on a farm outside the small town of Callan, Ireland, in 1762. Because
Callan was Irish-speaking, he was undoubtedly called Eamann at home.
Callan County Kilkenny
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The
Rices were comfortable by the standards of the day. Edmund became
a successful businessman in Waterford, in spite of the restrictive
Penal laws. While he was going about his business he became aware
of the ragged, disorderly, uncared-for boys who daily gathered around
the timber stacks on the docks. He began to feed them, uncared-for
boys who daily gathered around the timber stacks on the docks. |
He began to
feed them, to provide them with clothing, and to teach them about their
faith and academic subjects.
Unfortunately, however, doing the work of God can be addictive. The more
you do, the more you want to do. Edmund decided to sell his business and
spend all of his money and all of his time working for God by working for
the poor; taking literally the words of Christ: "Go, sell what you
have, give it to the poor, and come follow me."
Edmund became
famous in Waterford and others joined him. He founded the Congregation
of Christian Brothers, taking the religious name Ignatius, after the founder
of the Jesuits. Today, Christian Brothers throughout the world continue
the work which Edmund started during the time of the Penal Laws in 18th.
century Ireland.
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