The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-02
The Christian Brothers in Ireland.
dublin Nation. April 10.

In any survey-even the briefest-of the
state of education in Ireland at the beginning
of the present century, it would be impossible
to overlook the effects produced by the ihfa-
nous prescription of learning under the Penal
instruction, SO far as the Catholics were con-
cerned, had been long overthrown, it was less
than q decade previously they had been ad-
mitted to some minor rights of citizenship;
strong in many q Catholic breast the insur-
rection of 'S5, and the horrors that provoked
it and punished it, were but too wildly remem-
bered, and the criminal extinguishment of the
Irish Parliament had left the people helpless
" despondent In such time, when to all
appearances it should be idle to hope for the
beginning of wondrous change, an inspired
idea took possession of q Waterford gentleman,
Mr.. Edmund Ignatius Rice. Mr. Rice was in
his forty first year when, in 1902, he began an
establishment in his native city for the gratu-
itous instruction of poor youth in literature
and Christian piety. Three young men, learn
ing of his project, Joined him, with the inten-
ton of devoting their lives to the work. Their
schools were opened on the 1st of May, 1904.
Their example contagious. In 1906, an
other Waterford gentleman, Mr. Thos O'Brien,
d wine merchant, began similar establish
ment in Carrick-on-Suir, which was finished
in 1907; and the same year beheld another
founded at Dungarvan. AT the beginning of
1903 there were but nine members of the fra
ternity. They had not been bound by vows,
although they had adopted las far circum-
stances allowed, the rules and constitutions of
the Order of Presentation Nuns In the August
of that year, however, seven of them took
VOWS in the presence of their Bishop, DIR.
Power and according to 8 form drawn up by
his lordship. The holy charity which impelled
this small band of pioneers to devote their
lives to the rescue of little children from igno-
rance is of character to extort admiration
from even the bitterest enemies of their creed
and country.
For few wears the new society made but
slow progress. In 1911 two Brothers opened a
school in Cork. In 1919 two more began the
work in Dublin. Limerick received three in
1876; and shortly afterwards two were sent to
Thurles. The schools in Waterford were found
inadequate for the accommodation of all who
sought admission; other buildings were begun,
and the citizens aware from experience of the
handsomely that the new schools were finished
in 1876 1t should be remarked that the Bish-
ops of the various dioceses into which the fra
ternity had penetrated were the most active
and earnest among lite friends and indeed it
was at the solicitation of the respective ordi-
naries that the new foundations were made
The Presentation form of government was
found by experience to be not wholly suited to
the exigences of the Brotherhood, and in 1917
DR.. Murray, the late Archbishop of Dublin,
called the attention of the metropolitan MEM
of the French Institute of the Christian Schools,
found by the Venerable Jean Baptist de Ia
Sale In the same year the Brothers assem-
bled at Waterford, and, after due elaboration
and discussion, embraced, with some necessary
notifications, the mode of government of the
French body. In 1920 His Holiness, Pope Plus
the seventh, confirmed the lnstlGuGe ana ltB
rules. 1t will be seen, therefore, that, though
similar in name and object the Irish Order is
in no way an off-shoot of the French one, but
is native in every respect-in inception, origin,
progress and government; and that, while
called into being by the sore needs of our own
country. it found hero also every requirement
to supply those needs.
We skip the records of subsequent years,
until we arrive at 1888, when Mr.. Rice, worn
down by age and toll, resigned his Office of
superior AT that date the Brotherhood could
0HE nF anA- ~ u ~
Ireland, and @i%Ds instT%ction to SSiIy at.
tendance of 1850. Great q stride forward as
these figures show, it is hugely out-distsnced
Ireland 2s2 schools, situated in 40 diooeses,
and attended by over $4,000 pupils, besides Ia
schools In England and 10 in Melbourne, Aus
ttC4he' The brotherhood, too, have of late
Iouno new avenues for their zeal, and are now
successfully conducting the orphanage at Glas-
neyin; the Institution for deaf mutes at Cabra,
ana the industrial school at Artane.