Vancouver College - Collegian Yearbook (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada)

Page 11 text:

The Bishop heartily approved this plan and, aided by generous young men whom his example inspired, the Founder established the first school of the Congregation. The fame of the Brothers’ work soon spread through all Ireland and during the first 18 years, nine schools were established. In 1820, over 100,000 people witnessed the dedication of the O’Connell Schools. Later, in 1822, Pope Pius VII gave Papal approval to the young congregation. Before his death in August of 1844, Edmund Rice had established twenty schools. Truly, “the finger of God” was in his work. TW e4- v Plov, ” ce Prior Park College, founded in 1895. The buildings in this pic- ture extend for almost a quarter of a mile. 7

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(Eliristuut Irnllftra of Jrplanii 1802 — 1952 One hundred and fifty years is not a long time as the age of religious orders are measured. Yet, in this time, the Christian Brothers of Ireland have grown from the inspiration of one devout man to a congregation of over seven thousand members. The Irish Christian Brothers were founded in Water- ford, Ireland, in 1802 by the Venerable Edmund Igna- tius Rice. Having been a successful business man, he decided, at the age of forty, to devote himself to God’s service. On the advice of friends he presented himself to the Bishop of Waterford and expressed his desire to aid the children of Ireland who had been deprived of the privilege of all education, both religious and secular, by the infamous Penal Laws. The Irish Province Saint Mary’s in Dublin, the nerve center of the Irish Christian Brothers Congregation. 6

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Inspired by the Founder’s example and inflamed with a personal zeal for souls, the Brothers continued to ex- pand through the world. New foundations were opened in Ireland, England, Gibraltar, Italy, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and our own Canada. These foundations in turn led to other schools within the countries to which the Brothers had come. Provinces were established in most countries to facilitate the ex- pansion and guidance of the work. The American Pro- vince was founded in Newfoundland seventy-five years ago. Since then it has spread throughout Canada and the United States. It was evident that the “Mustard seed”, of which Christ speaks, had become a tree. Kimberto , South Christian Brothers College. Kimberley, one of the two schools run by the Brothers in the diamond center of the world. 8