Timeline

1762

Born in Westcourt, Callan, Co. Kilkenny – 1st June.
Attends local hedge school in Callan.

1779

Begins apprenticeship with his uncle, Michael Rice, in a ship-handling business in Waterford city.

1786

Marries Mary Elliott, daughter of a wealthy Waterford businessman.

1789

Edmund’s wife dies and gives birth to a daughter, Mary. She is born prematurely and is handicapped.

1798

Nano Nagle’s Presentation Sisters arrive in Waterford. Edmund assists the sisters in establishing a convent.

1800

Edmund begins teaching street children by night after work. Unpaid volunteers come to help him.

1802

Edmund is joined by Thomas Grosvenor and Patrick Finn. The three men live in rooms over a stable, now being used as a school.

1803

A purpose built monastery and school opens in Mount Sion, Waterford (7th June).

1806

First Foundation outside Waterford city – in Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary.

1807

A second foundation at Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

1808

Edmund and eight companions take vows as members of the Diocesan Society of the Presentation. They would become known as “Gentlemen of the Presentation”.

1811

Foundation in Cork city – North Monastery.

1812

Brothers arrive in Dublin.

1816

Brothers arrive in Limerick and Thurles.

1817

Brothers reorganise into a Pontifical Congregation, i.e. with a Superior General of their own and no longer under the organisational authority of the local bishop.

1822

Reorganisation plan is accepted and a new Congregation, The Congregation of Christian Brothers is formed. The Brothers in Cork continue however as a Diocesan Congregation and continue to be known as the Presentation Brothers.

1825

First school opened in England, at Preston in Lancashire. More schools follow in Manchester, Liverpool and London.

1827

Cork Brothers elect Augustine O’Riordan as the first Superior General of the Presentation Brothers. The Presentation Brothers cease to be a diocesan congregation and become a Pontifical Congregation.

1828

Edmund moves Headquarters from Waterford to Dublin.

1829

Catholic Emancipation Act results in a repeal of the anti-Catholic Penal Laws.

1832

Cholera outbreak in Ireland results in some schools being used as temporary hospitals.

1838

Edmund Rice resigns as Superior General. Br Paul Riordan is elected as second Superior General of the Christian Brothers.

1840

Edmund Rice makes a farewell tour of the Irish Schools and Brothers Communities.

1841

Edmund becomes seriously ill.

1844

Edmund dies at Mount Sion, Waterford on 29th August.

1961

The “Cause” for Edmund’s Beatification is introduced in the Archdiocese of Dublin.

1979

Edmund’s Cause is transferred to Rome.

1993

Pope John Paul II bestows the title “Venerable” on Edmund Rice and declares him to be a man of “heroic virtue”.

6 Oct 1996

Pope John Paul II declares Edmund Rice “Blessed” in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.