Edmund Rice

Edmund Rice was born in Callan, Co. Kilkenny, in 1762 and died in Waterford in 1844. As a young man, Edmund went to Waterford to work with his uncle, Michael Rice, a merchant and ship-chandler. Edmund had the necessary personality, talents and dedication to be a very successful businessman and, soon, his uncle entrusted him with the management of the entire firm. Eventually, he took out ownership and was on his way to being a very wealthy man.

When Edmund's wife died after an accident in 1789, he began to devote himself more and more to prayer and charitable work, especially with the poor and marginalised. He was especially drawn to the plight of poor children whose parents could not afford to send them to the paying schools of the time.

When his handicapped daughter reached adulthood, Edmund Rice made provision for her and resolved to go to Rome to enter a monastic congregation and serve God in prayer and silence. However, his great compassion and concern were also drawn to the human, spiritual and educational plight of the children of Ireland who had no opportunity.
He built and opened his first school in 1802 and over the next twenty years a considerable number of men from all walks of life began to join him. Eventually, they resolved to form a new Religious Congregation (Christian Brothers) which was formally approved by Pope Pius VII in 1820. Edmund saw his congregation grow in Ireland, England and Australia. He died, 29th August 1844. His reputation for holiness spread rapidly and he was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in October, 1996.