The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a world-wide community of religious brothers of the Catholic church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice.The first school was opened in Waterford, Ireland, in 1802. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelization and education of youth, but work in many ministries, especially ministries with the poor. In Catholicism, beatification (from Latin beatus, blessed, via Greek μακαριος, makarios) is a recognition accorded by the church of a dead persons accession to Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their name (intercession of saints). ... Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice (born 1762, died 1844) was a Catholic missionary and educationalist who was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in October 1996. ... Waterford (Irish: Port Lairge) is, historically, the capital of County Waterford in Ireland, though today the city is administered separately from the county, the latter having its seat in Dungarvan. ... --69. ... There are at least two religious orders that go by the informal name Christian Brothers. ...

Formation

Rice considered joining a religious order on the Continent, but instead, with the support of the Catholic bishop of Waterford, Dr. Hussey, decided to open a school for the poor. A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ...

In 1803 the citizens of Waterford built a monastery for the young men who had been drawn to assist Rice. The reputation of the school spread and many young men sought to become “brothers”. Houses were soon opened in Carrick-on-Suir, Dungarvan, and in 1811, in Cork. In 1812 the Archbishop of Dublin established a community in Dublin. By 1907 there were ten communities in Dublin with in excess of 6,000 pupils. The schools included primary, secondary and technical schools, along with orphanages and a school for the deaf. A community was founded in Limerick in 1816, followed by establishments in many of Ireland’s principal towns. A monastery is the habitation of monks, derived from the Greek word for a hermits cell. ... Carrick-on-Suir (Irish: Carraig na Siuire) is a town in County Tipperary, Ireland. ... Dungarvan (Dún Garbháin in Irish) is a town and harbour on the south coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. ... Cork (Corcaigh in Irish) is the second city of the Republic of Ireland. ... Primate of Ireland is a title possessed by the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland (Anglican) Archbishops of Dublin. ... Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath), is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland, located near the midpoint of Irelands east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. ... Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. ... The Japanese word for a high school is kōtōgakkō (高等学校; literally high school), or kōkō (高校) in short. ... Vocational education (or Vocational Education and Training (VET)) prepares learners for careers or professions that are traditionally non-academic and directly related to a trade, occupation or vocation in which the learner participates. ... An orphanage is an institution dedicated to caring for orphans (children without living parents). ... Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the province of Munster, in the midwest of the Republic of Ireland. ...

The Holy See formally established the order in 1820. The Christian Brothers was the first Irish order of men approved by a charter from Rome. The pope is the Catholic Bishop and patriarch of Rome, and leader of the Catholic Church. ...

Expansion

The order spread to Liverpool and other parts of England. Brother Ambrose Treacy established a very successful presence in Melbourne, Australia in 1868. In 1875 a school was opened in St. John’s, Newfoundland. In 1878 the Brothers were introduced to Gibraltar. Communities were established in New Zealand and, in 1886 the Pope made it clear that he wanted the Brothers in India. A province of the order was established there. In 1900 the order was invited to establish houses in Rome. In 1906 the order established schools in New York City. Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Northwest England, on the north side of the Mersey estuary. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... The City of Melbournes coat of arms The central business district of Melbourne, viewed from the north Alternate meanings: Melbourne (disambiguation) Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia, with a population of 52,117 in the Central... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni (Left-Wing Democrats) Area  - City Proper  1290 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,546,807 almost 4,000,000 1... New York City, officially named the City of New York, is the most populous city in the United States, the most densely populated major city in North America, and is at the center of international finance, politics, entertainment, and culture. ...

The Brothers' schools continue to be of many types, including primary, secondary and technical schools, orphanages and schools for the deaf.

Today

The order currently boasts about 1,900 brothers across twenty-nine countries. The brothers have provinces in Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, Latin America, and India. The order is governed by a superior general, who resides in Rome. Europe forms the westernmost part of Eurasia. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is a continent in the northern hemisphere bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the... Oceania is a geographical (often geopolitical) region consisting of numerous countries and territories – mostly islands – in the Pacific Ocean, usually including Australia and New Zealand. ... // Etymology World map showing Africa (geographically) The name Africa came into Western use through the Romans, who used the name Africa terra — land of the Afri (plural, or Afer singular) — for the northern part of the continent, as the province of Africa with its capital Carthage, corresponding to modern-day... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...

External Links

[Catholic Encyclopædia]