Founding the Christian Brothers

Edmund Rice 1762-1844

The Christian Brothers were founded just over two hundred years ago by a remarkable Irishman called Edmund Rice. Born into a situation where his people had little share in their country’s resources, Edmund was part of a minority who had the advantage of a good education and everything needed in the way of material goods. He saw that education and care of the young was the key to truly liberating people. At the age of forty, with no training or experience as a teacher, he made the decision to give his life to God by educating the neglected boys and young men in Waterford. Soon, in response to requests, Edmund’s brothers spread all over Ireland and then beyond the sea.

Blessed Edmund was a man of deepest compassion and concern, particularly for the poor and those who were downtrodden by the social and religious circumstances of the times in which they lived. It was this awareness that led him to open his heart to these people who, for him, were the special image and presence of Christ in the world. This presence of Christ was the focus of the mystery of his life and of his connection with the poor and disadvantaged. His vision still inspires thousands of men and women today.

Today we recognise that we are living in challenging times, with the need for a new kind of education, and a new recognition of the needs, and indeed the rights, of those who are poor.

Today, as people who look to, and pray to Blessed Edmund, we are called:

To live the gift and mystery of life to the full
To live with an awakened consciousness
To live in communion with each other in the whole human family
To live in communion with the whole of created reality especially on this planet

Wondering where your heart is leading you? Could your heart be moving you to serve as a Christian Brother?

Christian Brothers live in a faith community. They engage with people in their daily lives, often in the context of education but also as community workers, youth leaders and teachers. They are committed to being with poor people in their struggles, and in their desire for a better life. A Brother is committed to: