March 2007
Edmund Rice International Novena 2007
Greetings from Rome to all Edmund Rice devotees. It is Novena time again. This year
we are concentrating on a theme for the Novena and on two special requests for
recovery from serious illness. Our theme this year, the Bicentenary of the Abolition of
Slavery Act in Britain (1807) is “Slavery in our World” [Spelt out below].
Regarding requests for prayers for the sick, these usually are better dealt with at local
level, but to give a focus to our prayer before 5 May each year we normally select two
specific requests. We have had requests for prayers from Australia, Canada, the
United States, Peru, India, Ireland and England in the past few years. It can be quite
difficult to make a choice for the Novena. This year, like previous years, no sooner
had Br Donatus and myself made the selection than equally meritorious requests came
in. I always say to people: By all means, please add local intentions to the Annual
International Novena. God’s grace and generosity are never limited to one or two
requests! This year the two requests happen to be from Ireland, one for a
Presentation Brother and the other for the young wife of the nephew of a Christian
Brother. For details about Br Fabian and Mrs Linda Loughran, see below.
Theme for this Year’s Novena:
End all forms of slavery in our world
Britain’s slave trade is arguably one of the darkest periods in British history. Slaving
ships left Britain for the West Coast of Africa where guns and other manufactured
goods were traded for African slaves who were then shipped across the Atlantic to the
Americas where millions of slaves were sold onto the farms and plantations. The
goods they produced, sugar, cotton, coffee and tobacco, were shipped back to the UK,
bringing wealth and prosperity to the traders and their accomplices.
contemporary of Edmund Rice, led the campaign against
slavery, and received much abuse from vested interest in
Britain and America. He, and a growing number of
followers persisted, and 2007 marks the Bicentenary of the
Abolition of Slavery Bill in the British Parliament, 1807.
The resulting liberation took a little longer, and we read of
the British Government paying £20,000,000 in 1833 to
compensate the slave owners – can you believe it? America
did not follow the lead of Britain, and the abolition of
slavery was an issue in the American Civil War (1861-
1865).
Edmund Rice (1762-1844), a man who opposed injustice wherever he experienced it,
agreed with Wilberforce in his opposition to slavery, and the story has come down to
us of his liberating of the black slave, John Thomas, in Waterford from a sea-captain
who was mistreating him. Edmund befriended him, set him up in business and got the
Presentation Sisters in Waterford to instruct him in the faith. The Annals of the
Convent in Waterford record that he led an exemplary life and, up to the time of his
death (15 February 1848), had donated £95 to the convent. By his will he bequeathed
two houses to the Sisters but directed that the ground rent be paid annually to the
executors of his first benefactor, Edmund Rice. Edmund spent most of his life fighting
ignorance and illiteracy, another form of slavery “by raising boys to the dignity of
men.”
Various forms of slavery still persist in our world, whether it be child soldiers in some
recent African conflicts, such as in Sierra Leone and Liberia, or in the ‘sweat shops’
of cheap labour in many parts of the world. Human rights continue to be violated.
Women and children continue to be second-class citizens in many parts of the world.
The fact that we buy and use the products of unjust work practices sucks us into
passive approval. Organisations, such as Fair Trade, have been set up to promote
greater equity in international trade, especially by securing the rights of marginalized
producers and workers.
In 1982, Hull, UK, Wilberforce’s native place, became the first city in the West to
twin with a city in a developing nation, Freetown in Sierra Leone, the world’s first
colony for free Africans set up in 1792 by Wilberforce and Thornton. Edmund Rice’s
Brothers, increasingly African-born, work in that very country today. I remember,
in 1986, feeling the force of history, when I was conferred with a PhD degree by the
then Chancellor of Hull University, Lord Wilberforce, a direct descendant of the
Wilberforce of anti-slavery fame.
In the spirit of Blessed Edmund, and after two years’ preparation, Edmund Rice
International, representing both the Presentation Brothers and the Christian Brothers,
was formally established in Geneva, Switzerland, on 18 January 2007. This aims at
achieving NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) status for the two congregations in
dealing with the United Nations in a whole raft of advocacy measures, “a voice for
the voiceless”, especially on behalf of children at risk. At present, several Catholic
religious congregations have consultative status with the United Nations, a position
that allows groups the opportunity to challenge systemic injustice and to engage in
advocacy work with policy makers on behalf of people who are made poor. In line
with the charism of Blessed Edmund, a delegation, led by Br Anthony Mark
McDonnell CFC, and also including Brothers Donal Leader CFC, Kevin Cawley
CFC, Martin Kenneally FPM, and Andrew Hickey FPM, met with Franciscans
International, a faith-based NGO working out of Geneva to plan the way forward.
Franciscans International (which also includes ‘Dominicans for Justice and Peace’
and the Marist Brothers) has a proven record in Geneva for advocacy work done in
the area of global peace, children’s rights, human trafficking, religious discrimination,
migration, care of the earth, chronic poverty and other relevant social issues. Right to
the end of his days, Blessed Edmund suffered from the strain of many court
appearances to protect the rights of widows and orphans, rights that had been eroded
by the unjust laws of his time. He would feel very happy with the new Geneva
initiative of his two congregations.
During this year’s Novena, let us pray for the success of this new Edmund Rice-
inspired venture and let us examine how our lifestyle may be helping to perpetuate
injustices against children or any other marginalized grouping in our world.
Br Fabian O’Donohue FPM
I will let the words of Br Donatus Brazil FPM (Vice-
Postulator) speak for themselves, full as they are with
faith in Blessed Edmund’s powers of intercession:
Clare, Ireland. He entered the Presentation Brothers’
Novitiate in Cork in 1954 and was professed in 1956. He
spent his entire active ministry in the Brothers’ Primary
Schools in various parts of Ireland. On retirement a few
years ago, he continued on a voluntary basis to help
marginalized children in a school in Cork City. He was a
fine athlete in his younger days and played inter-county football with his native Clare.
He was a member of the Province Leadership Team for many years.
During what was expected to be minor surgery in November 2006 it was discovered
that Fabian had a severe cancer condition in his stomach, and the surgeon there and
then removed more than three-quarters of his stomach. This was a hugely traumatic
experience for him as he was expecting only minor surgery. This meant that he was
hospitalised for a long period, and healing had to take place before chemo treatment
could begin. During his continued illness his indomitable and upbeat spirit has never
deserted him.
Fabian has a first class relic of Blessed Edmund with him all the time and he has great
faith in the intercession of Blessed Edmund. No doubt, with the help of our prayers
during this Novena, Br Fabian will be privileged with a cure through Blessed
Edmund’s intervention.”
Linda Loughran (40) is married to Pádraig (a
nephew of Br Kieran Loughran CFC, Manchester,
UK) and is mother of Marc (7), Sam (5), and Zoe (2
and a half). Here is Br Kieran’s description of a very
sad family situation, and nothing I can say will
diminish its poignancy:
“Linda has been married to my nephew, Pádraig, for
ten years. She has worked for many years until her
recent illness in the ‘Limerick Leader’ Office, which
publishes Limerick’s most popular weekly
newspaper. Linda is a twin, who celebrated her 40th
birthday in 2006. She has always been a bubbly,
outgoing and friendly person. Pádraig and Linda
have three beautiful children, two boys and a girl,
Marc who is 7 years, Sam who is 5 years and Zoe
who is just two and a half. They have lived in a
beautiful setting near Lough Derg in an area known as Ballina, Co. Tipperary. Some
time ago they bought a new site in the same area and built their own home in its own
grounds and moved in just two years ago.
However, sadly and to everybody’s shock, Linda has just been diagnosed with an
incurable form of dementia known as Pick’s Disease or Frontotemporal Dementia. It
is a very rare disease and only two other cases have been diagnosed in Ireland. She
has been confined, firstly to Limerick Regional Hospital since November 2006, and in
January of this year she has moved to a Nursing Home called “Millbrae”, near
Newport, Co. Tipperary. The prognosis is not good and it appears that Linda may
have to spend the rest of her days in care because of her illness.
Pádraig is naturally devastated by her illness, as indeed are all her family, relations
and friends. Thankfully, Pádraig and the children are receiving wonderful support
from family and friends during this sad time. Linda is very much in their daily
prayers. She has had the First Class relic of Blessed Edmund for a month and I have
recently blessed her with it again.
When my brother, Declan, Linda’s father-in-law, rang me to tell me the sad news last
November, he said that the only thing that can help now is a miracle. That is why we
are entrusting Linda’s position to the prayers and intentions of the Edmund Rice
Family Network as an intention of our forthcoming International Novena in
April/May and we pray that if it be God’s will, that Linda be restored fully to her
health and her family through the powerful intercession of our Founder, Blessed
Edmund Rice, who experienced such great sadness and pain in his own life.”
(Friday, 27 April – Saturday, 5 May
[Feast of Blessed Edmund])
Note: If any group of Edmund Rice
Devotees wish to link the Novena with a
daily Rosary (or Decade) or/and
attendance at daily Mass, that is an
extra bonus. The following prayers may
be said privately or, preferably, publicly
in a group.
(1) Prayer of the Edmund Rice
Network
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
Network
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.
(2) Healing Prayer for Linda and Fabian
Dear Lord, we ask you to be present to Linda and Fabian
Let them feel your presence and your power through our prayer.
Let your power and energy flow through the lives of Linda and Fabian,
giving them tranquillity, love and healing of mind and body.
Through the intercession of Blessed Edmund we ask this of you,
who can overcome all sickness and ill-health. Amen.
(3) Prayer for Edmund’s Canonisation
O God, we thank you for the life of Blessed Edmund.
He opened his heart to Christ present in 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.
Grant that soon he may be declared a Saint of your Church.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Hope you enjoy the Novena. If you are in a position to makes copies, please
download and distribute to groups that are interested. Please keep in touch. May God
bless you, may Mary mother you and may Blessed Edmund guide you. In the
meantime, have a wonderful Easter. Ciao!
Br Donal S. Blake CFC
Postulator/Historian
Fratelli Cristiani
Via Marcantonio Colonna, 9
00192 Roma, Italy
postulatorcfc@gmail.com
+39 06 3211 0363
7 March 2007