The story of Blessed Edmund Rice has inspired generations of people across the world. Among the values that we cherish from his tradition are his generosity, his courage, his humanity, his love of God’s word in Scripture, his devotion to the Mother of God, his practical reaching out to the poor and oppressed, and his absolute trust in God’s providence. The Joy of Brotherhood. For us Christian Brot
hers community living is a central part of our identity. We live together the vowed life of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience in a way that is life-giving for us. We pray together to Jesus our Brother, and we share our cares and joys. As members of a community we carry our gifts to others. We are enriched as the lives of others touch our own. We experience the love of God in our lives. We meet God in our community prayer, and in our personal prayer and reflection. We experience the love and care of God in the ordinary and extraordinary events of our lives. Like Edmund we trust ourselves to his providence. We want to share our search for God and our experience. The search for God is an important element in the lives of many young people. Christian Brothers are travelling on this journey, and we want to accompany others on their search for a spiritual life. We have a strong commitment to justice. Human rights advocacy is a new ministry of the Christian Brothers and reflects a new understanding of global mission. Right across the world young people and children are the victims of injustice and poverty. Many are abused. All are in need of compassion, services and a safe place where they can speak of and about their situation. When Edmund Rice looked out the window in Waterford he saw the children on the street; today he would see the children of the world. Eco-justice is a new area of concern for us as we try to bring an awareness of our responsibilities as stewards of the world around us. We are on the side of the poor and disadvantaged. Since the time of Blessed Edmund the Brothers have directed their personnel and resources to educating the poor, and our school immersion projects have opened the eyes and hearts of Irish students and teachers to the realities of poverty in Africa and India. Our justice offices throughout the world stand up for the rights of the oppressed. We empower people through education. Education was the means Edmund Rice used to transform the children of his day. Since then it has been the method of “helping people to help themselves.”
The Brothers have been involved in all levels of education for over two hundred years, and in thirty-five countries.
