ESSENTIAL
ELEMENTS
OF
AN
EDMUND RICE CHRISTIAN BROTHER
EDUCATION
The Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother
Education calls educational ministry sites and those working in
them to:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Evangelize Youth within the Mission of the Church.
proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed
permeate the entire curriculum, activities, and all aspects of
the educational process with the Gospel message of Jesus
Christ
encourage young people to a deeper relationship with
Jesus Christ
provide opportunities for liturgies, retreats, vocation
awareness workshops and daily prayer
Proclaim and Witness to Catholic Identity.
give priority to religious instruction with opportunities for
faith development and theological understanding
participate in the sacramental life of the Church and model
a living faith through the use of rituals and symbols
foster devotion to Mary and the communion of saints
ensure that Catholic identity permeates all endeavors: all
classes and activities, procedures and policies, services
and programs
Stand in Solidarity with those Marginalized by Poverty
and Injustice.
promote policies and structures that reflect a climate of
compassion for the poor and disadvantaged
include education and advocacy for peace, justice, global
awareness and care for the Earth
prepare students to work toward the creation of a just
society
encourage ministry experiences that work with and serve
the poor and marginalized
support mission areas at home and abroad
establish tuition and scholarship policies that open
educational opportunities to the poor and disadvantaged
Foster and Invigorate a Community of Faith.
provide a disciplined, safe atmosphere in which students
are free to grow and take responsibility for their own
learning and for the life of the community
sustain compassionate, respectful relationships among all
stakeholders
be in union with the Church through commitment to service
and formation of community
encourage faculty and staff to give daily witness to their
integral role in communal faith formation
embrace the human condition and welcome God’s healing
V. Celebrates the Value and Dignity of Each Person and
Nurture the Development of the Whole Person.
promote respect for each individual as created in the image
and likeness of God
value the diversity of the human family and seek to reflect
diversity among the students, faculty and staff
promote strong programs for personal, professional, and
pastoral care
offer extra-curricular activities and programs that are
important to a student’s holistic education
strive to provide just remuneration for faculty and staff
VI. Collaborate and Share Responsibility for the Mission.
empower all members of the community to share in the
mission
work with parents/guardians who are the primary educators
collaborate with Edmund Rice Christian Brother ministries
on local, regional, and international levels
foster a deeper understanding of the vision of Blessed
Edmund
promote active participation in governance by boards and
diocesan officials
VII. Pursue Excellence in all Endeavors.
promote a strong academic curriculum and cultivate a
desire for excellence
develop an educational culture that fosters the growth of the
whole person, higher-order thinking, and life-long learning
In accord with the mission statement of the Congregation of
Christian Brothers, "We commit ourselves to Christian education
and to prophetic action on behalf of the materially poor in the
confidence that in all our truly human interactions God is
transforming us as well as the people we serve.”
BLESSED EDMUND IGNATIUS RICE
(1762 – 1844)
The founder of the Christian Brothers of
Ireland, Edmund Rice, was born in 1762,
near the town of Callan. He was
educated, married, and became a
prosperous merchant, landowner and
leader of Catholic activities in the city of
Waterford. Edmund’s wife died tragically,
leaving Edmund and their daughter
behind. After a number of years, Edmund
contemplated life in a monastery on the
continent, but a friend with connections to
the local bishop encouraged him to look
out upon the poor of Waterford and find
his mission there, first among the youth of the city's neglected
poor. The Bishop of Waterford encouraged him to begin a school
for poor boys. The parents of these boys refused to send their
sons to the existing Protestant school. In 1802, Edmund began
his educational work in a room above a local barn and in 1803,
secured the land which was to become Mt. Sion, the first school
of the Edmund Rice system.
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