Blessed Edmund Rice

Blessed Edmund Rice (1762-1844), founder of the Christian Brothers, was a wealthy merchant in Ireland during the time of the Penal laws. After the death of his wife he grew closer to God and "was moved by the Holy Spirit to open his whole heart to Christ present and appealing to him in the poor. He was given the grace to respond by identifying through Christ with the poor in order to evoke in them a deep awareness of God's loving presence." (Christian Brothers' General Chapter)

Moved by the plight of the poor, Edmund sold his business and devoted his life and fortune to the education of the poor boys whom he had met on the streets. Others joined him and the Congregation of Christian Brothers was founded.

His school included a tailor shop and a bakery to provide food and clothing for the needy children.

Edmund began receiving requests from bishops throughout Ireland and around the world. While Edmund Rice is known for the educational system he organized, he and his brothers were involved in all sorts of charitable work, giving their schools over to tend the sick during epidemics and visiting prisons.

The Christian Brothers are found all over the world today. Lay people volunteer their time and talent to continue Edmund's charitable work among the poor. The volunteers who run the Edmund Rice Camps are such volunteers. Thy provide a summer camp experience to poor children --at no cost to the children or their families -- who would otherwise not have that opportunity.