BLESSED

EDMUND
IGNATIUS
RICE
PRAJWAL CHHETRI
SHYAMGEL LAMA
12 COMMERCE
INTRODUCTION
• Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844) was born in Callan,
County Kilkenny, Ireland, into a family of peasant farmers.
• He was the fourth of seven siblings and was educated by the
Jesuits in Kilkenny.
• After completing his education, Rice went into business with
his brothers, building a successful trading company that traded
in textiles and other goods.
• In 1785, Rice married Mary Elliott and together they had one
child, a daughter named Mary.
EARLY-MID
LIFE
CHILDHOOD
• Edmund Ignatius Rice was born on June 1, 1762, in Westcourt, Callan,
County Kilkenny, Ireland.
• His parents were tenant farmers who belonged to the Catholic middle
class, which gave them some degree of prosperity and social status.
• Despite their relatively comfortable circumstances, Edmund's parents
could not afford to send him to a formal school, so he attended a hedge
school instead.
• Edmund's parents placed great importance on education, and he proved to
be a bright student.
• He attended a commercial academy in Kilkenny for two years, where he
received a more formal education in business and commerce.

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BUSINESS
CAREER
• In 1785, Edmund Rice moved to Waterford, Ireland,
where he established a successful business as a merchant
and trader.
• He became one of the wealthiest men in the city and was
known for his generosity to the poor.
• His business ventures gave him the financial means to
support his philanthropic work later in life.

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PERSONAL
TRAGEDY
•In 1785, Edmund Rice married Mary
Elliott, and the couple had one daughter,
Mary.
•However, Mary died in 1789, and her
death had a profound impact on Edmund
Rice.
•He became deeply depressed and withdrew
from society for a time.
BOUND TO
BE A
BLESSED
SPIRITUAL
AWAKENING
•After his wife's death, Edmund Rice began to
experience a spiritual awakening.
•He became more involved in his Catholic faith
and started to devote more of his time and
resources to helping others.
•In 1802, he sold his business and decided to focus
on charitable work full-time.

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EDUCATIONAL
PHILOSOHPY
•Edmund Rice's philosophy of education
emphasized the importance of individualized
attention and care for each student.
•He believed that education should be accessible to
all, regardless of social or economic background.
•He also believed that education should be grounded
in Catholic values and promote social justice.

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FOUNDATION OF
CHRISTIAN
BROTHERS
 In 1802, Edmund Rice founded the Congregation of
Christian Brothers, a religious order devoted to
education and social justice.
 The organization's mission was to provide education to
poor and marginalized children.
 The first school was established in Waterford, and the
Christian Brothers soon expanded their work to other
parts of Ireland and beyond.

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GROWTH OF
CHRISTIAN
BROTHERS
• The organization started with a small number of members but
grew in size and influence over time, becoming a significant
force in Irish education by the early 1900s.
• The Christian Brothers continued to expand their operations
both in Ireland and overseas, and today they operate schools and
programs in over 20 countries around the world.
• Despite facing challenges such as declining membership and
financial difficulties in recent years, the Christian Brothers
remain committed to their mission of providing education and
support to vulnerable youth.
• There are around 25 Christian Brothers schools in India.

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DEATH AND
RETIREMENT
• In February 1838, Edmund Rice left the North Richmond
Street community and returned to Mount Sion in
Waterford.
• Aged seventy-six, and by now in poor health, he wrote to
the different communities calling for a General Chapter to
elect a new Superior General.
• After living in a near-comatose state for more than two
years, Rice died at 11 a.m. on 29 August 1844 at Mount
Sion, Waterford, where his remains lie in a casket to this
day.
• Large crowds filled the streets around his house in Dublin
to honour him.

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LEGACY OF
EDMUND
RICE
EDMUND RICE’S
LEGACY TODAY
•Edmund Rice's legacy continues to inspire and guide
the work of many organizations around the world.
•The Christian Brothers and other groups inspired by
Rice's example remain committed to serving those in
need and working for social justice.

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GLOBAL REACH OF
EDMUND RICE’S
LEGACY
•Today, there are Christian Brother schools and
organizations in more than 20 countries around the
world.
•These groups continue to provide education and
support to young people, particularly those who
are marginalized or disadvantaged.
•Edmund Rice's example has also inspired
countless individuals and organizations outside of
the Christian Brothers to work for social justice
and serve their communities.

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EDMUND RICE’S
ENDURING IMPACT
•Edmund Rice's legacy is an enduring reminder of the
power of compassion, education, and service to transform
lives and communities.
•His focus on spirituality, social justice, and education
continue to resonate with people of all backgrounds and
inspire them to work for a better world.
•By carrying on his legacy, we can continue to make a
positive impact on the lives of those around us, just as
Edmund Rice did in his lifetime.

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RELATIONSHIP OF
GOETHALS WITH
BLESSED
Although the name of ourEDMUND RICE
school originates from the Archbishop
of Calcutta , Paul Goethals. This institution comes into existence
of still stand because of a cause and vision that Blessed Edmund
saw and yearned for . His initiative for education and social good
interpreted in each of the goods souls in making GMS possible as
it is today. The spirit remains the same of spreading peace ,
respect and compassion with the name of God.

BLESSED EDMUND
17 2023
IGNATIUS RICE
RELATIONSHIP OF BLESSED EDMUND RICE
WITH GOETHALS MEMORIAL SCHOOL

STATUE OF BLESSED EDMUND RICE AND INSCRIPTION ABOUT HIM IN EDMUND RICE
THE SCHOOL GARDEN AUDITORIUM,GOETHALS
18 BLESSED EDMUND 2023
IGNATIUS RICE
CANONIZATION OF
EDMUND RICE
• Edmund Rice was declared "Venerable" by Pope John Paul II in 1993, the first step
on the path to sainthood.
• In order to be beatified and canonized as a saint, two miracles attributed to Edmund
Rice's intercession must be verified
• The miracle occurred in 1976, when Kevin Ellison of Newry, had been given only
48 hours to live due to complications from a gangrenous colon, and an apparent
lack of viable colon tissue.
• A family friend, Christian Brother Laserian O'Donnell, gave Ellison's parents
a relic of Edmund Rice.
• Many friends prayed for a miracle through the intercession of Rice and a
special Mass was offered for Ellison's recovery.
• Only the relic of Edmund Rice was placed at the bedside of the dying man.
• The latter survived the 48-hour period during which he was supposed to die, and
more besides
• . Upon investigation, surgeons discovered a considerable length of the previously
undetected colon. Ellison fully recovered after a few weeks.
• These events paved the way for Rice's beatification on 6 October 1996 by Pope
John Paul II. His official feast day is 5 May.

BLESSED EDMUND
19 2023
IGNATIUS RICE
WHY IS EDMUND RICE’S FEAST DAY
CELEBRATED ON 5TH MAY?

Blessed Edmund Rice’s feast day is

celebrated on 5th May by default as all the
other significant dates were preoccupied by
feast of some other saints and major
events. This very day has been marking the
presence and ideals of our beloved Blessed
Edmund Rice whom we look upon and
remember today.

BLESSED EDMUND
20 2023
IGNATIUS RICE
SOME FAMOUS
QUOTES BY
BLESSED
EDMUND RICE
 “ PRAY, HOPE, AND DON'T
WORRY. WORRY IS
USELESS. GOD IS
MERCIFUL AND WILL HEAR

”
YOUR PRAYER
BLESSED EDMUND
RICE

BLESSED EDMUND
22 2023
IGNATIUS RICE
 “ THE ESSENTIAL THING IS
TO LOVE OTHERS AS
OURSELVES AND TO LOVE
GOD ABOVE ALL.

”
BLESSED EDMUND
RICE

BLESSED EDMUND
23 2023
IGNATIUS RICE
CONCLUSION
•Edmund Ignatius Rice was a visionary leader who
devoted his life to promoting social justice and
education.
•His work has had a lasting impact on the Catholic
Church, the field of education, and the world more
broadly.
•His legacy continues to inspire and guide the work
of the Christian Brothers and the Edmund Rice
Network today.

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Thank you
PRAJWAL CHHETRI
SHYAMGEL LAMA
CLASS 12 COMMERCE