Special Character Report

On Sunday is the feast day of one of our charisms, Edmund Rice. Edmund Ignatius Rice was born in Callan Ireland on the 1st of June 1762. Rice established a successful career in business in waterford, where his supplied ships with all their needs when he was at the age of 28, his wife was killed in a tragic event and his daughter was left disabled and with learning difficulties. He was devastated and reflected for a while, before focusing on providing for the poor, specifically through education. In Ireland at the time there were rules in place that meant that Catholicism couldn’t be taught. Edmund realised the impact that deprivation had on the young people around him. So he decided to sell his business interests, and set up his own school for boys in a stable. In 1802 Edmund commenced the building of a monastery. This was large, and had both living space and a school. Here the boys attending were taught many important subjects, including religion. They were also prepared for their first Holy Communion and Confirmation. Within the school Edmund had a bake house and a tailors shop built, to ensure that the boys were fed and warm. In 1808, Edmund and some of his companions following the example of the Presentation Sisters (established by Nano Nagle), took vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, and they also devoted themselves to educating poor boys. They were known as the Society of the Presentation at this stage. Edmund Rice teaching the boys was seen as illegal in Ireland at the time. Most of the Irish Catholics at the time were cut off from education and social and political progress. Edmund sent Brothers to open schools all over Ireland, and the world, including New Zealand in 1876.

We are just entering the month of May which as Catholics we dedicate to Mary, Mother of God. During this month Catholics Christians and other Christians both pray the roasry and offer up their hearts to Mary, in both church and the privacy of their homes. Mary sometimes is referred to as the 'Queen of May'. There is even a 'May Crowning', where an image or statue of Mary is crowned, sometimes with flowers. This custom of dedicating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin started somewhere around the end of the 13th century. This practice became popular, especially among the members of the Jesuit Order. And by 1700 it took hold among their students at the Roman College and a bit later it was publicly practiced in the Gesu Church in Rome where it then spread to the whole Church.

Today we practice it by praying the rosary, here is a link; https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary

Special Character Prefects: Beatrice Schonwald & Charlotte Harris

Prayer

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death,

Amen.

Have a Fantastic Weekend!!!