Summer 2006
Summer 2006
Greetings to all devotees of Blessed Edmund from a sunny Rome. Thanks to all who take the trouble to write, telephone or e-mail me concerning Edmund and his Cause.
I keep hearing of varied celebrations of the Feast of Blessed Edmund on 6 May in different parts of the world. Special Masses were organised and lectures delivered to honour the occasion. The International Novena for Claudia Rosair (USA) and John Moriarty (Ireland) was well supported and I’m sure that the prayerful outpouring will have benefited all concerned in all kinds of wonderful ways, as only God knows best. Claudia and John are still quite ill, so please keep them in your prayers. Br Donatus Brazil FPM, Vice-Postulator, is to be commended for the excellent composition and layout of the Novena.
Local Newsletters
Looking at local publications, like Aidan Quinlan’s ‘League of Prayer’ newsletter in Ireland, I am heartened that so many people place their trust in Blessed Edmund and that so many people write in to say ‘Thank you, Edmund!’ I have seen some wonderful bits and pieces on Edmund in various websites from such diverse places as Australia and the United States. For those of you who are reading this on the Christian Brothers’ website (www.edmundclt.org) , may I suggest that you take a peep at the Presentation Brothers’ Website also (www.presentationbrothers.com), and vice versa. Edmund is large enough for all his followers, Presentation Brothers, Christian Brothers, Edmund Rice Network. ‘The medium is the message!’
CatholicIreland.net
Archdiocese of New York
Good news from America is that through the work of various Edmund Rice Associates, the Archdiocese has added the Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice on 5 May to its official list of optional Masses that may be celebrated in all its churches. Well done to all concerned. This is something that could be taken up with other dioceses around the world where there is an Edmund Rice connection. It needs to be done at local level.
Also, in an initiative that will take the name and image of Blessed Edmund into several Catholic High Schools across the US, permission was granted to a Catholic publishing company that was bringing out a 100,000 copies of a new RE book to use a picture of Edmund Rice in its new production.
Another Miracle Still Required
A recent announcement by Pope Benedict XVI enforces the need for another physical miracle before canonisation. There was hope expressed recently at the Congregation for Causes that the miracle for the beatification might suffice for the canonisation, but the Pope obviously requires a new miracle. Please keep praying and hoping. If you do receive a remarkable answer to prayer, please let us know about it. Do not underestimate, either, the power of spreading the ‘gospel’ about Edmund among your acquaintances. A lawyer-friend asked me recently, “How come we didn’t hear more before now about Edmund’s advocacy work in the courts for poor widows and orphans who were being deprived of various bequests and charities?” There are always new angles to saints that are worth exploring!
New Books on Edmund
The Edmund Rice Centre, North Richmond Street, Dublin, recently published a new edition (3rd) of my short life of Blessed Edmund, ‘A Man for Our Time’. It features a new cover, an extract from the late Pope John Paul II’s sermon on the occasion of the Beatification, the addition of new paragraphs here and there, and an updated map of where Blessed Edmund’s followers are to be found around the world. Enquiries: +353-1-819 6781 or eroffice@eircom.net .
I am also collaborating with Br Leo Canny (lecanie2@eircom.net), Drimnagh Castle, Dublin , in editing a new publication in English based on the last research project undertaken by Gaelic scholar, Leo’s brother, the late Br Phil Canny (Ó Caithnia). St Mary’s Province, Ireland, is sponsoring this. The research centres around a neglected topic, the influence on the young Edmund Rice of the Gaelic-speaking Penal Day domestic church of the countryside in 18th century Co. Kilkenny, as against the English-speaking church of the towns. It was the medium through which the Faith was passed on from one generation to the next around the fireplace in country farmhouses, and was strong enough to withstand the missionary attempts of well-meaning Protestant Evangelicals. A few Brothers have been assisting Leo in the translation, in an attempt to reach a wider audience among Edmund Rice’s worldwide followers.
Death of Br Dominic Brunnock FPM
Br Dominic Brunnock, Presentation Brother, died recently at Marymount Hospice in Cork City. Br Dominic had spent a lifetime teaching and working in the West Indies. He will be specially remembered for his wonderful work for school drop-outs and other disaffected youths on the Carribean island of St Lucia. He adapted SERVOL, the Trinidad-founded method of reaching out to troubled young people that offered them a second-chance education. He called his project CARE, which he now leaves as an inheritance to the island. One of its high points was the building up of self-esteem and a gentle spirituality among ‘wounded’ young people. It also taught employable skills. I saw his work at first hand during my sabbatical in 1998. Dominic’s broad smile welcomed everybody. He was a true disciple of Blessed Edmund. It was good to know him. May he rest in peace with Blessed Edmund and his fellow Presentation Brothers.
Tenth Anniversary of Beatification (6 October 1996)
“The Generalate in Via della Maglianella was the nerve-centre of the preparations for the beatification of Edmund Rice…. In the middle of August, the Brothers (Christian and Presentation) who would be helping with the immediate preparations arrived. Initially they were not overburdened with work but in the last three weeks they were overwhelmed with jobs that could only be done when the materials arrived. One of them was filling the pilgrim kits with memorabilia. The final week was hectic, one of the major tasks being the distribution of the pilgrim kits (5,000) to the hotels and pensiones where the pilgrims would be staying. Here Brian Hamilton, Tony Pawelski and Christy O’Carroll were to the fore.
As the pilgrims began to arrive in Rome, the Beatification Office near St Peter’s had to be manned. Neil Langan took charge of this and was ably assisted by several helpers from the Irish community in Rome. One of their principal tasks was the distribution of the tickets for the Sunday Beatification ceremony.
Then came the three days of celebration. The Concert in the Papal Audience Hall was a triumph. The quality of the items presented by representatives of the Brothers and Associates from all parts of the world, and the enthusiastic response of the large audience, made it an evening to remember. Sunday morning dawned clear and bright, and by the time the Beatification ceremony began in St Peter’s Square, the number attending was well beyond our expectations, their green scarves proclaiming their identity. Under a blue Roman sky, the Holy Father proclaimed Edmund Rice Blessed.
All present had their special moment during the ceremony. For many, it was the unveiling of the banner of Blessed Edmund teaching young children with a view of Waterford quay through the window behind him. That afternoon, after the dinner in the hotel Columbus, all the pilgrims met at ‘Fiera di Roma’ for a family gathering, mixing, talking, singing, dancing. Br Jack Casey and his band provided the music for the afternoon. The atmosphere here, as at all other functions, was unrestrainedly joyous.
Next day came the final celebration, the First Mass of Blessed Edmund Rice, inside St Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Daly of Armagh being the chief celebrant and homilist. His address was received with applause. During the ceremony the heavens opened and Rome gave the pilgrims some idea of what it can do with rain, thunder and lightning. This in no way dampened the spirits of all present. Again, the number attending far exceeded the number expected. The Basilica holds 13,000 people. At the Mass of Blessed Edmund, there was hardly standing room. The Mass was a wonderful finale to the three days of celebration.”
Let us pray, with a feeling of great anticipation , that a similar ceremony celebrating Edmund being titled ‘SAINT EDMUND’ may not be too far distant! In the meantime, let us work and pray that the great day may come sooner rather than later. Let us spread Edmund’s story far and wide and our enthusiasm for it. Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Br Donal S. Blake CFC,
Fratelli Cristiani,
V. Marcantonio Colonna, N.9,
00192 Roma,
Italy.
+39 06 3211 0363
blake.d@tiscalinet.it
June 2006
Novena Details
May 5, 2006
The
intentions for this year’s Novena are for
healing for Claudia Rosair (Presentation Brothers)
and John Moriarty (Christian Brothers) and for
comfort for their families. The following are short
accounts of Claudia’s and John’s
present circumstances:
CLAUDIA ROSAIR
My Mom is the best, she is a kindergarten
teacher, but not mine as she teaches at another
school. My Dad is funny and we have fun playing
games like Sorry. Then there is my big brother
Brandon (B.J.). He plays baseball all the time and
he also plays guitar. He taught me how to play
Nintendo Game Tube. I have a dog named Jackson, a
kitty named Shorty.com and a black Guinea Pig named
Jelly Bean.
On Wednesday November 2nd I went to the doctor for
a normal check up. He said that my spleen was too
big and sent me to the hospital to check my blood.
They then said I had to go to the Clinic in
Cleveland the next day to check and see what was
wrong. After being tested and checked I was
diagnosed with A.L.L. (Children’s Leukemia).
We had to check in the Pediatric Hospital right
away as Dr. Levien and Dr. Burke said that they
were going to give me some medicine to
“chomp” the bad cells away just like
Pac Man.
Even though it was a long stay (almost two weeks) I
never complained about having to be in my room
almost the whole time. I had lots of presents and
Mommy stayed with me the whole
time.
All of the nurses were great, including Kathy,
Sharon, and Ragen plus everyone said I was the
perfect patient.
This is Claudia’s story to date. She still
has a long way to go. Please include her specially
in your novena intentions this year.
JOHN
MORIARTY
John is an author, lecturer and broadcaster. In 1997 he hosted the RTE television series, ‘The Blackbird and the Bell’. His books include Dreamland (Dublin, The Lilliput Press, 1994), and the tthree volumes of Turtle Was Gone a Long Time: Crossing the Kedron (1996); Horsehead Nebula Neighing (Lilliput, 1997); and Anaconda Canoe (Lilliput, 1999). He lives down from the Horse’s Glen at the foot of Mangerton Mountain in North Kerry.
Praying the Novena
May 5, 2006
(Download Novena
pdf)
For each day of the Novena we will reflect and pray
on one aspect of Blessed Edmund’s life. The
Opening and Concluding Prayers are the same each
day. The Novena may begin and/or end each day with
a hymn. This year’s International Novena was
compiled by Br Donatus Brazil FPM, Cork,
Vice-Postulator of the Cause for the
Canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice. The Novena
starts on Wednesday, April 26, concluding on
Thursday, May 4, Eve of the Feast of Blessed
Edmund.
- Outline of Novena (for those who may wish to make the Novena in common):
- Optional hymn at beginning or end
- Opening Prayer (same every day)
- Selected daily reading about Blessed Edmund
- Selected daily Scripture reading
- Pause for reflection and sharing
- Daily intention prayer
- Concluding Prayers (same every day):
- (a) International Edmund Rice Prayer
- (b) Novena Intention Prayer for the healing of Claudia Rosair (USA) and John Moriarty (Ireland), through the intercession of Blessed Edmund.
Opening Prayer:
We gather in your name, Lord, with deep thanks in our hearts for your gifts and blessings to Blessed Edmund Rice. As members of the Edmund Rice family in the worldwide mission of the Church, we dedicate ourselves today to the call of living the Christian Gospel. Give us faith and courage to care deeply as Blessed Edmund did for all who are most in need, especially young people. Help us to be willing to serve others with love and compassion so that all may have life and have it more abundantly. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your son. Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Prayer of The Day (See Below)
Concluding Prayers:
O God, we thank you for the life of Blessed Edmund Rice. He opened his heart to those oppressed by poverty and injustice. May we follow his example of faith and generosity. Grant us the courage and compassion of Blessed Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, you inspired Blessed Edmund Rice to follow your son in a life of consecrated service of the poor and of all in need of a truly Christian Education Grant though his intercession the petitions we now make:
Healing for Claudia Rosair and comfort for her Mum (Diane), Dad (Steve) and brother (Brandon)
Healing for John Moriarty and Comfort for his family and friends
We ask these favours through Christ our Lord. Amen
Hymn (Optional)
Prayers For Each Day
Day 1:
April 26th: Edmund, the boy at home:“Edmund Rice’s youth was unexceptional… His parents were greatly respected in the community for their generosity, fair-mindedness and humanity…the father’s shrewdness, sturdy commonsense and practicality complemented the mother’s warmth, sensitivity and compassion… Edmund received an education denied to the majority of Catholics. He first attended a ‘hedge school’… and later a commercial academy in Kilkenny. Here he received both a practical and classical education. This was to be extremely helpful to him, not only in his business career, but also in his future role as founder of schools for poor boys.”
(A Man for our Time, Donal Blake)
Scripture Reading:
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord
required, they went back to Galilee, to their own
town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to
maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's
favour was with him. (LK 2:39-40) Pause for
reflection and sharing
Pause
for reflection and sharing
Let us pray:
For the young, to whom Blessed Edmund devoted his
life, especially those on the fringes of our
educational system, that they may hear
Christ’s call to grow and bear fruit through
the witness and ministry of others.
Day 2:
April 27th: Edmund, the businessman:“At the age of eighteen, Edmund became an apprentice in the business of his uncle, Michael Rice, who was well-established in the victualling and ship-chandling business in the thriving port of Waterford. Michael’s own sons were not keen to follow in their father’s footsteps, and so Edmund was given the opportunity of training to manage the business… Soon Edmund became a familiar figure in his uncle’s stores, in the warehouses on the quay, on board ship, or as he rode on horseback to buy cattle and farm produce to stock the ships. He quickly won his uncle’s confidence, and a deep affection grew up between them. The business thrived.”
(A Man for our Time, Donal Blake)
Scripture Reading: …The land into which you are to cross to make it your own is a land of hills and valleys watered by the rain from heaven.
Yahweh your God takes care of this land, the eyes of Yahweh your God are on it always, from the year's beginning to its end.
And it is most sure that if you faithfully obey the commandments I enjoin on you today, loving Yahweh your God and serving him with all your heart and all your soul,
“I will give your land rain in season, autumn rain and spring, so that you may harvest your corn, your wine, your oil; I shall provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and have all you want”.
Take care your heart is not seduced, that you do not go astray, serving other gods and worshipping them, or the anger of Yahweh will blaze out against you, he will shut up the heavens and there will be no rain, the land will not yield its produce and you will quickly die in the prosperous land that Yahweh is giving you. (DEUT 11:11-17)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let us pray:
For all those engaged in business that their
dealings will be honest and trustworthy, and
redound to the greater glory of God, the creator of
everything in our world, by following the example
set by Blessed Edmund.
Day 3:
April 28th: Edmund, the husband:“When Edmund was in his middle twenties, he fell in love with a girl named Mary Elliot… They married after a brief courtship and set up home in a comfortable house in Arundel Lane, some sixty yards from his place of work. It was an ideally happy marriage and the young couple were full of plans for their future life together. Edmund and his young wife were on familiar terms with many of the better class families of the city and took part in the life of a highly cultured society.” (Steadfast in Giving, W B Cullen & A L O’Toole)
Scripture Reading: Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless.
In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself.
To sum up; you too, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband. (EPH 5:25-28, 33)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let
us pray:
For all married couples, especially for those in
our Edmund Rice Family, that they may be encouraged
in their marriage by the Christian example of
Edmund and Mary
Day 4:
April 29th: Edmund, the father of a child with special needs:“And then came the cross. Mary, the young mother-to-be, died as a result of a fall from a horse… As a result of the accident, the baby, a daughter, also called Mary, was born prematurely. She was retarded and was to need nursing care for the rest of her life, something her father saw to immediately.” (A Man for our Time, Donal Blake)
Scripture Reading: At this time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them.
Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith in me would be better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone round his neck.’ (MT 18:1-6)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let us pray:
For all who suffer disability and illness that they
may find healing through the love and care of
others and may the compassion they awaken be a
source of renewal in our world.
Day 5:
April 30th: Edmund, the teacher:“Edmund had been a very successful businessman but was totally unprepared for his new role of teacher. However, he soon got the assistance of two teachers who had experience and training in the profession. Although he found it very difficult to cope, with the help of the paid teachers his first school soon became established. It was not long, however, before his two teachers decided that the work was too difficult…and no matter how much money they were offered they would not stay… Being a man of deep faith and unbounded trust in Almighty God he kept going somehow and was soon rewarded when two young men, Patrick Finn and Thomas Grosvenor, came to help him, not as paid assistants but as helpers.”
(Br. Edmund Ignatius Rice, S.T. Ó Duinn)
Scripture Reading: The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity. (DAN 12:3) The truly wise will instruct his own people, the fruits of his understanding are certain. This wise man will be filled with blessing, and those who see him will call him happy. The wise man will earn confidence among his people, his name will live for ever. (SIRACH 37: 23,24,26)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let
us pray:
For our Brothers and co-workers ministering in
schools, colleges and other educational
establishments that, by their teaching and example,
they may bring the light of Christ into the lives
of their students and the wider school community.
Day 6:
May 1st: Edmund, the
founder:
“Others began to join Edmund’s
movement… On 15th August 1808 Edmund and
eight companions were clothed in a simple black
habit – to be worn indoors only, in deference
to the Protestant sensitivities of the ruling
classes. They made vows of poverty, chastity and
obedience. An official diocesan congregation of
brothers, known as ‘The Society of the
Presentation’, was formed under the authority
of the bishop. The ordinary people among whom they
worked called them simply ‘the Gentlemen of
the Presentation’ or, more simply, ‘the
monks’. Edmund received the name
‘Brother Ignatius’ after Saint Ignatius
of Loyola…and the congregation began to
greet each other with the title
‘Brother’. Thus began the first new
form of male religious life in Ireland since the
Reformation.”
(A Man for our Time,
Donal Blake)
Scripture
Reading:
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one
in whom my soul delights. I have endowed him
with my spirit that he may bring true justice to
the nations. He does not cry out or shout aloud, or
make his voice heard in the streets. He does not
break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering
flame. Faithfully he brings true justice; he will
neither waver, nor be crushed until true justice is
established on earth, for the islands are awaiting
his law. (ISA 42: 1-4)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let us pray:
For all who follow in the footsteps of Blessed
Edmund Rice: the Presentation Brothers and the
Christian Brothers, their associates and
co-workers, that they may respond with the same
courage and generosity to the call of Christ to the
marginalized and outcast of our own day.
Day 7:
May 2nd: Edmund, champion of the poor and friend of prisoners:“His own sorrow and grief (at the death of his young wife) had taught him to open his heart in compassion to his companions in sorrow, the poor and the needy who surrounded him on all sides. He began to be a frequent visitor to…the Waterford of the poor, of narrow streets and dark alleyways where the miserable hovels of the poor were crowded together… He espoused the cause of the poor and took practical steps to alleviate their hardships. He soon became conspicuous in Waterford for his charity and generosity… As his charitable work became known in the city he was elected trustee or administrator of a number of good causes. He restored poor people, imprisoned for debts, to their families; he visited gaols and was frequently to be seen at the foot of the scaffold near John’s Bridge, praying for some unfortunate about to pay with his life for the violation of the harsh laws of the time.” (Steadfast in Giving, W B Cullen & A L O’Toole)
Scripture Reading: Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me - it is the Lord Yahweh who speaks - to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin?
Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over. Your integrity will go before you and the glory of Yahweh behind you. Cry, and Yahweh will answer; call, and he will say, ‘I am here’. If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed, your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon. (ISA 58: 6-10)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let us pray:
For all who suffer oppression and injustice that
they may know hope through the witness and courage
of Blessed Edmund and others.
Day 8:
May 3rd: Edmund, devotee of Mary, the Mother of God:“Devotion to Mary was a marked feature of his spirituality. From his earliest years he had been faithful to the daily recitation of the rosary. And from the beginning of his association with boys, the Founder endeavoured to foster and strengthen in their hearts devotion to Mary Immaculate. This was characteristic of his schools. The month of May was always marked by special devotional practices in honour of the Blessed Virgin. Her litany was recited at the conclusion of school each day. (Steadfast in Giving, W B Cullen & A L O’Toole)
Scripture Reading: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.’
Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.’
‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her. (LK 1: 26-29, 31, 34-35, 38)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let us pray:
The
Memorare
(Edmund’s favourite prayer to Mary):
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never
was it known that anyone who fled to your
protection, implored your help, or sought your
intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this
confidence I fly to you, O Virgin of Virgins, my
Mother; to you I come; before you I stand, sinful
and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate,
despise not my petitions, but in your clemency hear
and answer me. Amen.
Day 9:
May 4th: Edmund, model of suffering:“In the mid 1830s, Edmund’s health was causing concern. He had carried the burden of giving credibility to the life of the teaching brother in Ireland – and indeed in the English-speaking world – since 1802. He had negotiated with bishops – even with Rome itself – on behalf of his poor boys. He had suffered the criticism of government officials, and, more painful, of Catholic bishops and even than of some of his own Brothers. His life had been plagued by appearances in the law courts to protect the bequests of widows and orphans… Edmund’s final years were blighted by some of the dissentions that arose under his successor… In 1841, Edmund suffered the indignity of being turned away from the door of a chapter of the Brothers he had founded… Edmund was now an invalid confined to his room. He, who had helped so many during his long life, needed full-time nursing, and had few lucid intervals. His nurse has left on record that a frequent prayer of his was ‘Praise be to you, O Lord Jesus Christ’. (A Man for our Time, Donal Blake)
Scripture Reading: Yahweh has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what Yahweh wishes will be done.
His soul's anguish over he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself. (ISA 53: 10,11)
Pause for reflection and sharing
Let us pray:
For our brothers and sisters of the Edmund Rice
Family who are suffering ill health in hospital,
nursing homes, in care or at home; and also for
those who are suffering the burdens of worry,
anxiety, bereavement and regret, that they will
find consolation in the sufferings of Christ and of
Blessed Edmund.
6th October 2006
6 October
2006,
Tenth Anniversary
of Beatification of Blessed Edmund
Rice
Those who went
before
What
now?
Br Francis Regis Hickey CFC,
Roman Postulator at the time of the Beatification,
accomplished a Herculean amount of work with his
team of Presentation and Christian Brothers and
others that everything should work like clockwork
during the great days that surrounded 6 October
1996. There was the feeling that there would
not be any great difficulty in acquiring the one
extra miracle that would see Blessed Edmund
canonised – declared to be ‘Saint
Edmund Rice’. There were even rumours
that such a miracle had occurred very soon after
the Beatification! Then the anti-climax.
True, there were what appeared to be many great
favours granted through the intercession of Blessed
Edmund but nothing that would stand up to the
rigorous examination required by the Medical Bureau
attached to the Congregation for the Causes of
Saints. Br Hickey, who had been in Rome for
many years, returned to his native Australia in
1997, and there was a feeling abroad among many of
the Brothers that perhaps the Beatification was as
far as Edmund’s Cause should be progressed!
Nevertheless, Prayer Groups and others continued to
pray for a total outcome to Edmund’s
Cause. In 2002, the bicentenary celebrations
of Edmund founding his Brothers at Waterford in
1802 triggered a new reawakening of interest in
Canonisation among Edmund’s followers,
especially among the more broadly-based Edmund Rice
Family/Network. This was discussed among the
Leadership Teams of Edmund’s Brothers, both
Christian and Presentation. The sequel was
that I was called to Rome for a meeting in early
2003 and was appointed Roman Postulator soon after.
So here I am!
Has the
required miracle been already
performed?
Now, as many people realise, one
further miracle performed since the date of the
Beatification (6 October 1996) is the one remaining
requirement for Edmund’s Canonisation., that
and current information that there is a healthy
devotion to Edmund and what he stood for. In
talks with American-born Monsignor Robert Sarno, he
has suggested that the extra miracle
may
indeed have already
happened! In many Causes, he says, the required
miracle may very well be included somewhere
among the favours mentioned by word of mouth soon
after the Beatification. I would have to
concur. In the gap between 1996 and 2003,
when I was appointed Roman Postulator, there were
stories of remarkable favours granted through the
intercession of Blessed Edmund in various parts of
the world. The people involved were convinced that
the hand of God, through Edmund’s
intercession, was at work. While people in
such a situation often make promises to put an
account of the ‘favour’ in writing,
they fail to follow up unless reminded again and
again. Local Promoters and Prayer Group
Leaders may very well be aware of the
details. However, in checking the files here,
the details were never written down formally and
forwarded to Rome.
They may have been sent to a Provincialate
or to a Local Promoter? I now
appeal to Province Leaders, Regional Promoters
(and/or anybody else who may be aware) to check
your files and other sources for incomplete
accounts of remarkable favours received.
Alert me to the
possibilities and seek out more detailed accounts,
with some preliminary medical evidence, of the
favours allegedly granted. I, personally, would be
willing to follow up the enquiries, if necessary.
All of this could bring forward the date of the
Canonisation, if this be the will of
God. As
you may very well know, a period of five years
needs to pass before an alleged ‘cure’
can be checked out officially. However, there is no
need to wait that long to report the alleged
‘cure’. I await local
accounts, with guarded anticipation. As Edmund
himself was wont to say, “Pray that
God’s will be done in this”.
Celebrations
for 6 October 2006
It is recommended that the
various followers of Blessed Edmund Rice
mark Friday, 6 October,
in some special
way.
(On the grapevine, I have heard of one group of ten
Irish people who are re-visiting Rome for the
occasion.)
Thank God for the many graces and blessings he has
poured out though Edmund’s work and
intercession.
Say a special prayer for Edmund’s vowed
followers.
Ask God to continue to bless their efforts and to
forgive their human frailties.
Include in your prayers all those who work in
association with them.
Pray for the young people who, in one way or
another, are the main recipients of their efforts.
Say the special Edmund Rice prayer on the leaflet,
adding “We pray that very soon Blessed Edmund
may be declared a saint of your
Church.”
Pray for all the people who have placed, and who
continue to place, their confidence in
Edmund’s intercession on their behalf before
the Throne of God.
Rededicate whatever work or activity you are
involved in that is connected with the name
of Blessed Edmund and his followers.
Blessed Edmund, pray for us.
Keep in touch. God bless you, Blessed Mary
mother you, and Blessed Edmund guide you. On a
personal note, a special prayer for those who have
contacted me on my recent Golden Jubilee (50) as a
Christian Brother.
Br Donal S.
Blake CFC
Edmund
Rice Roman Postulator
0039 06 3211
0363
blake.d@tiscalinet.it
20 September 2006