The Christian Brothers.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 17 July 1902, Page 3

The Christian Brothers.

In view of the centenary of the founding of the Institute of the Christian Brothers it will not be inopportune (Hays the Freeman's Journal) to give a brief sketch of the career of the remarkable man Who founded it, and to enter on a short history of the great undertaking with whioh his name will ever be identified. Edmund Ignatius Rice was born in June, 17G2, at Callan, county Kilkenny of highly respectable parents. His father, Mr Robert Rice, was descended from an ancient family of that name, and his mother, Whose maiden name wan Margaret Tierney, was a noar l dative of Mr Valentine Maher, who was ft one time M P. for Tipperary, and of Mr Valentine Smith, who was one of the first Catholics in the county Kilkenny who purchased an estate after the relaxation of the Penal Code in 1782. The future founder of the famous Institute was the third of six brothers. He received his education at Callau, in the first instance, and subsequently in Kilkenny. In 177.) he being then 17 yearß of age, he went to reside in Waterford with' his uncle, Mr Michael Rice, who was a wealthy merchant in that city, .being chiefly engaged in the provision trade, which was then very nourishing. After having spent some years with his uncle, he ■uooeeded him in his business, and after a time he realised a considerable fortune. As the eighteenth century was drawing to a close, Mr Rice, then almost 40 years of age, began to seriously entertain thoughts of embracing The Religious Life. He had long been noted for his deeds of charity and other good works. After he conceived the idea of retiring from the world, his firßt purpose was to proceed to Rome, and afterwards to enter one of the Continental monasteries. But a circumstance occurred which diverted him from his intention, and induced him to consider the possibility of devoting his life to a great work nearer home. He was one day walking in the outskirts of the city, when his attention waa attracted by a number of boys who were playing on the roadside. He questioned them, and was much struck by their want both of religious and secular knowledge. The fact caused him to dwell on the urgency of an institution which would provide gratuitously a good Christian education for the boys of his adopted city. The idea strengthened with reflestion. He recommended the matter earnestly to God, and implored light for his direction. He sought the advice of a pious and learned clergyman, and consultel with other friends. At length doubt vanished, his vocation became fixed, and his great project gradually took definite shape. In 1802, with the approval and aid of the Most Rev. Dr. Hussey, then Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, he began the erection at Mount Si on, Waterford, of a dwelling intended for the residence of himself and his associates in the educational work which he contemplated. In June, 1803, he went to reside there. He then had two associates awayed by a purpose similar to his own— Mr R. Gravenor, of CallaD. and Mr Thomas Finn. The schools were opened for the reception of the children on the Ist of May, 1801. They were only a short time in operation when the good effects of the instruction imparted in them became apparent. The Fame of the Rising Institute spread rapidly, and attracted attention all over Ireland. It soon numbered amongst its admirers the most distinguished members of the Hierarchy, who became anxious to extend to their own diocests the educational blessings which it was bestowing on Waterford. The Most Rsv. Dr. Hussey was succeeded in the See of Waterford and Lismore by the Most Rev. Dr. Power, who continued the helpful patronage of his predecessor towards Broti.er Rice and hia associates. The next foundation on the plan of the Mount Fion Schools was at Carrick-on-Suir, the native town of Mr Thomas O'Brien, a wine merchant of Waterford, who. with the approbation of Dr. Power, founded an excellent dwelling and school in Carrick in 1806. A third establishment was founded in 1807 in Dungarvau. At the beginning of 1808 the Community in the Waterford house numbered five, and there were two in Carrick-on-Suir and two in Dungarvan. About this time they came to the resolution of making annual vowb ; and on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady in 1808, after an eight days' retreat, seven members, including Mr Rice, pronounced these vows in the presence of the Most Rev. Dr. Power according to a formula drawn up by his Lordship. Tho next foundation was in Cork in 1811. The Most Rev. Dr. Moylan, Bishop of Cork, happened to visit the schools at Waterford, and he was so impressed by the valuable work they were performing that he determined to give his own diocese the advantage of a similar institution. After hie return home he sent two young Cork men to be trained in the Waterford hou<-e. In due time they came back to Cork equipped for the work that lay before them, and they commenced, under very modest circumstances indeed, thdr labors in the cause of education. As the years went on, the importance of the Cork Community expanded, eventuating in the building of That Magnificent Educational establishment, the North Monastery, now Our Lady's Mount. The Cork Schools have frequently secured the first place in the Intermediate Examination contest by reason of the number of thei>- distinctions ; and for many years, when they have failed to secure the poßition of honor, it has been but to yield it for a time to the sister establishment in North Richmond street, Dublin. After Cork the next foundation was in the city of Dublin. In May, 1812, an establishment waß founded in East Hanover street, under the patronage of the Most Rev. Dr. Murray, Arcb.biab.op of Dublin, who wan a warm friend of Brother Rice and his assistants. The schools in Hanover t-treet continued to exist for a period of 32 years. In 1813 two Brothers were sent to start a school in Mill street at the solicitation of the Very Rev. Dr. Hamill, V.G , the parish priest of that district. The foundation-stone of the North Richmond street establishment, whioh may be said tc have beeu the offspring of the Catholic

Association, was laid by Daniel O'Connell in June, 1828, in presence of an immense multitude, who walked in procession from the Com Exchange for the purpose of witnessing the ceremony. In 1815 a Community was established in Thurles on the invitation of the Most Rev. Dr. Bray ; and in the following year a similar advantage was conferred upon Limerick under the patronage of the Most Rev. p;Jp° y vt? D the - sth f Se P temb er, 1820, the Bull of his Holiness rope Pius VII. was issued, confirming The Institute as a Religious Society. fvf« her s en^'i a di « ti^ uißhed member of the Society of Jesus, and the confidential and bosom friend of Brother Rice, was the bearer tL^JvT f Sf- to IJelaI J elai \ d - The Brotherf> ' learned of the arrival of this important document, lost no time in arranging the necessary preLunnanes for it* formal adoption. They met in hX2' 1 '£• T^J l6B^ the purpose ' and < after transacting the business for which they had assembled, they agreed that a general meeting of the society should be held at Waterford the following January to carry the new constitution into effect. The Brothers of PUrh? /» Mount Sion Waterford, accordingly, and after a retreat of eight days, Brother Rice was elected Superior-Gteneral of the T??w the ml \ J l anuarv > 1822 - The Pope's Brief having provided that a general chapter should be held at the end of every 10 years and that the Superior-General should govern for 10 years only. Brother R.ce was re-elected to that high office in January, 1832, at a chapter convened at the House in North Richmond street. In July, 1838, he resigned the office of Superior-General, years and infirmities pressing hard upon him. fle died on the 20th August It i ag a BIS yP 4 ars ; and his remai^ werp laid in the cemetery of the Brothers at Mount ftion, Waterford. During his life, and after his death, the Institute whioh he had founded rontinued to spread a* has been already indicated, until it extended all over the world' A Junior Novitiate was established at St. .Joseph's, Baldoi le, and a Senior Novitiate at Marino for the training of the Brotbe'rn, among whom there have been during the past century very many distinguished men. The best remembered, perhaps, is Gerald Griffin whose remains he in the beautiful cemetery attached to Our Lady's Mount at Cork. In addition to their work of imparting education in their ordinary aay schools the services of the Christian Brothers have also been eagerly sought in the management of several orphanages and industrial schools ; and the success of their labors has been as conspicuous in the management of such magnificent establishments as tho Artane Industrial School as it has been in other spheres of educational effort.