WE all need action to awaken up. Good counsel is inspiring, but example is more clear. Words may sound deeds will thunder. We are impressed by worthy teaching, but only insofar as a life give testimony to words. Edmund Rice will be placed among the Saints, tomorrow. He listened to Christ in Scripture, Prayer and Sacrament.
Edmund Rice (1762-1844) was born at a time of injustice, oppression and despair. A Lord Chief Justice wrote: "The laws in Ireland did not presume a Roman, Catholic to exist, nor could one breathe without the connivance of the Government." Dr Samuel Johnson was horrified at the savagery of the Penal Laws, by which Catholics were deprived of education and were excluded from professions and trades. It seemed as if they existed only to be persecuted.
Edmund grew up in Callan in a happy family, farming 180 acres leased from Lord Desart. His formation shaped him, by God's grace, to be a light in the dismal darkness. He gave witness to the Truth. He was destined to bring hope to all.
In his Christian home, he learned that all gifts are on loan and that whatever we do for the poor, we do for Christ. With his six brothers and two step sisters, he was to share not only food and possessions but the treasures of the good education available to so very few. Each day he made time for Scripture reading, deep reflection and sincere prayer. His Bible is still with us, and his annotations show how greatly he cherished the Word of Life.
When he was 18 his uncle asked him to come to Waterford, to join him in the thriving trade of providing food supplies to the ships sailing to Britain, to Europe, and to Newfoundland. Edmund was only 24 when the business was signed over to him, and he was appointed also to manage all family affairs. He invested wisely in land and house property and was soon among the wealthiest merchants in Waterford.
He married the beautiful Mary Elliot, and the happy couple settled in fashionable Arundel Square. All signs pointed to a happy and prosperous future. No cloud darkened the horizon.
Tragedy struck. Mary, seven months pregnant, was thrown from her horse. The little daughter was born prematurely and severely retarded Mary died. Edmund's life fell apart. He was broken hearted and alone. With desolation, he entrusted the baby to the care of his family and made generous provision. That child lived to be seventy.
Edmund had always been generous, with his wealth and with his time, to the poor, the sick, the dying, and to prisoners. He redoubled his charity and his prayer. He felt inclined to give all to the needy and to enter a strict monastery in Italy. He was steeped in the writings of the great St Teresa of Avila and, more and more, he absorbed her Scripture based wisdom. But God had other plans. A devout and gifted woman directed him to the wretched state of neglected youth. Could he do for them what the great Nano Nagle and her Sisters were doing for girls? All prudence seemed to reject this. It was, indeed, being asked to walk on water.
He gave up his lovely home. Some generous men joined him in the daunting task. The work began in a stable - surely a Gospel sign. The two great orders, Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers, came into existence with the saintly Edmund as father and founder. The rest is history. A tree was planted the branches reach across the world, and countless thousands give thanks to God and sing a glad Te Deum for their song of praise as Rome declares Edmund to be among the Saints.
Let our final word be with Blessed Edmund as he leads 115 anew to Gospel values: "Let us do ever so little for God. we know he will never forget it One thing you may be sure of, that while you work for God, whether you succeed or not, He will amply reward you.