Timeline

Born in Westcourt, Callan, Co. Kilkenny – 1st June.
Attends local hedge school in Callan.

Begins apprenticeship with his uncle, Michael Rice, in a ship-handling business in Waterford city.

Marries Mary Elliott, daughter of a wealthy Waterford businessman.

Edmund’s wife dies and gives birth to a daughter, Mary. She is born prematurely and is handicapped.

Nano Nagle’s Presentation Sisters arrive in Waterford. Edmund assists the sisters in establishing a convent.

Edmund begins teaching street children by night after work. Unpaid volunteers come to help him.

Edmund is joined by Thomas Grosvenor and Patrick Finn. The three men live in rooms over a stable, now being used as a school.

A purpose built monastery and school opens in Mount Sion, Waterford (7th June).

First Foundation outside Waterford city - in Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary.

A second foundation at Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

Edmund and eight companions take vows as members of the Diocesan Society of the Presentation. They would become known as “Gentlemen of the Presentation”.

Foundation in Cork city – North Monastery.

Brothers arrive in Dublin.

Brothers arrive in Limerick and Thurles.

Brothers reorganise into a Pontifical Congregation, i.e. with a Superior General of their own and no longer under the organisational authority of the local bishop.

Reorganisation plan is accepted and a new Congregation, The Congregation of Christian Brothers is formed. The Brothers in Cork continue however as a Diocesan Congregation and continue to be known as the Presentation Brothers.

First school opened in England, at Preston in Lancashire. More schools follow in Manchester, Liverpool and London.

Cork Brothers elect Augustine O’Riordan as the first Superior General of the Presentation Brothers. The Presentation Brothers cease to be a diocesan congregation and become a Pontifical Congregation.

Edmund moves Headquarters from Waterford to Dublin.

Catholic Emancipation Act results in a repeal of the anti-Catholic Penal Laws.

Cholera outbreak in Ireland results in some schools being used as temporary hospitals.

Edmund Rice resigns as Superior General. Br Paul Riordan is elected as second Superior General of the Christian Brothers.

Edmund Rice makes a farewell tour of the Irish Schools and Brothers Communities.

Edmund becomes seriously ill.

Edmund dies at Mount Sion, Waterford on 29th August.

The “Cause” for Edmund’s Beatification is introduced in the Archdiocese of Dublin.

Edmund’s Cause is transferred to Rome.

Pope John Paul II bestows the title “Venerable” on Edmund Rice and declares him to be a man of “heroic virtue”.

Pope John Paul II declares Edmund Rice “Blessed” in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.