Brother Fabian, RIP

They came in large numbers from near and far and from many walks of life to pay their respects to Br. Fabian O Donohue a real ‘Gentleman of the Presentation’ whose funeral Mass was celebrated in Christ the King Church, Turner’s Cross, Cork on Saturday February 23rd. Br Fabian, you will recall, was one of the two people we prayed for during last year’s  Novena. The other person, Linda Loughran, is still seriously ill.  So let us keep up our prayers.

The chief celebrant at the Mass was Fr. Kerry Murphy O Connor PP who spoke of Fabian as ‘mirror of God’s love’ to young and old and especially to the poor and vulnerable. The Greenmount school choir enhanced the requiem liturgy. Former colleagues from the various schools in which Fabian taught were at hand to offer words of appreciation and condolence to his family who travelled in large numbers from his home place in Ballinagun, Kilrush, Co.Clare.

‘He had an elegant athletic walk, his long fingers seemed to offer him balance as he moved lightly and with purpose. I’m told that he moved similarly on the football field. His visits home to Ballinagun were like Christmas even if the only gift he brought was himself. He was a second father to me’. With these words his nephew John spoke of Fabian in an eloquent eulogy after Mass.

A tribute from another Clareman, Br. Pat Madigan cfc came from New Mexico stating: “all Claremen have reason to be proud of Fabian”. It is very appropriate that he is laid to rest in the Blessed Rice Cemetery in Mt.St.Joseph next to another great Clareman Br. Basil Daly.

His coffin was laden with bouquets of flowers from family and friends who wanted to say a sincere ‘thank you’ to their friend. Among them were two bouquets from ‘Right of Place’, the group representing those who suffered institutional abuse – an eloquent statement of gratitude to one who always listened respectfully and did not judge.

Br. Fabian’s playing colleagues from Nemo Rangers formed a guard of honour and took turns in carrying his coffin. A sports profile and appreciation by Plunkett Carter from Greenmount appeared on the Cork Evening Echo and a minute’s silence was observed before the All Ireland Club semi-final game at Ennis which Nemo Rangers proceeded to win in style.

In the words of an old friend, Brother Mark McDonnell, CFC, writing from India, "It gives one confidence in the dynamic of religious life when it offers men like Fabian as exemplars of what the fruits of a good religious life can be”.

May he rest in peace.

7. A New Edmund Rice Prayer Book?

Over the past twenty or more years, people in different parts of the world, sometimes working independently, have produced prayers and reflections of various kinds centred on Blessed Edmund – prayers for favours, prayers for his Canonisation, litanies, novenas, Morning and Evening Prayers, meditations, liturgies, suggested Mass Readings, etc. It has been suggested to me recently that it might be a good idea to collect these prayers into one single prayer book for devotees of Blessed Edmund. I agree with these sentiments, and I now propose, with your help, to produce such a collection that would then become widely available.  How can you help, I hear you asking.  Search your prayer books, shelves, etc., and forward to me in whatever format you consider most convenient examples of what you find.  I appeal in a special way to secretaries and archivists working in provincialates, regional houses, novitiates and houses of formation. I also include individuals who may have collected items of devotion. Please pop examples of what you have into an envelope or as an attachment by e-mail and forward same, before 1 June 2008, Birthday of Blessed Edmund, to:

Br Donal Blake CFC,

Edmund Rice Postulator,

Edmund Rice House,

North Richmond Street,

Dublin 1,

Ireland.

Tel. +353-1-8230097 [Dublin 01-8230092]

postulatorcfc@gmail.com

If you are reluctant to permanently part with what you send, please remind me of this, and I will ensure that the items are returned to you!

8. Alleged Cure in Cork City

I mentioned in a recent communication about an alleged cure in Cork City granted through the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice to Betty, a married woman. It involves recovery from an operation for the removal of a tumour on the brain, where little hope of survival had been held out by the surgeon. A first-class relic of Blessed Edmund was applied to the affected area by Betty’s husband, a long-time devotee of Blessed Edmund. Today, Betty is alive and well. I recently met the family at an impressive Edmund Rice Prayer Meeting at the Presentation Brothers’ Mount St Joseph in Cork, attended by about sixty people. The family gave public testimony to the intervention of Blessed Edmund in their lives.

The case has now moved a step forward. I got the family and the Brothers involved to write a preliminary account of what had occurred. I then submitted this, during my March visit to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome, to Monsignor Robert Sarno, an expert in such matters. Such officials are by nature cautious, but he accepted that the case was “promising”. He then advised me on how best to proceed. This will involve collecting copies of the medical records, interviewing the family doctor, the surgeon, nursing assistants, family members of the patient in greater detail, etc., writing up all of this material under prescribed headings … and then getting a more expert preliminary opinion from a panel of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. Then, if the verdict is still positive, I need to approach the Bishop of Cork to set up a Miracle Tribunal to examine under oath all the personnel involved in the alleged cure. Informally, the Diocese has told me that they have never had any experience of organising such a tribunal, and they will be very reliant on what I, the Postulator, and Br Donatus, the Vice-Postulator, can tell them concerning procedures.  There is no guarantee that everybody involved will co-operate with such an intricate procedure. It will also involve a new medical examination of Betty. All going well, it will take about two years minimum. Then, I, or somebody working on my instructions, will need to write up a detailed Miracle Positio for the Congregation of Saints. So, if you see me with a faraway look in my eyes over the next few years, you will know why! Please pray that the Cork case will be successful. Only then, of course, Edmund can be canonised.

The following report by Br Clement McCarthy FPM gives a touching account of how the relic was made available:

“It was approaching bedtime when I received a telephone call from Brother Nessan O’Mahony, a Christian Brother who resides with his community about a mile from our residence, Mount St Joseph. Knowing that our Presentation Community possessed a first-class relic of Blessed Edmund Rice, he asked if he could borrow it for a friend Michael whose wife Betty was gravely ill in the Cork University Hospital after a serious brain tumour operation. I agreed they could have the relic and asked them to come and collect it.

While on my way to the Community Chapel where we keep the relic, it occurred to me that when they arrived in a matter of minutes I would invite Nessan and Michael to join me in prayer in the Chapel at the Blessed Edmund Shrine. Both gladly agreed and we went to the Shrine where I already had candles lighting. I was meeting Michael for the first time. He was very distraught and overwhelmed by grief as he told me of the serious illness of his wife Betty at the local hospital.  Michael said his wife was greatly disturbed and agitated after the serious operation.  I got the impression that Betty’s condition was life-threatening – hence Michael’s recourse to the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice whom he trusted with great conviction.

After Michael lit a special candle for Betty, all three of us prayed with great devotion and fervour and much faith, believing that through the intercession of Blessed Edmund Betty would be healed.  After some time I placed the relic on Michael’s head at a place corresponding to the place on Betty’s head where the operation had taken place. Together we recited the prayer to Blessed Edmund and the special prayer for healing.

As I reflect back now, I recall this as a great faith experience for me, as I feel it was also for Michael and Br Nessan. As Michael and Br Nessan set out on their journey to Betty at the Cork University Hospital I could not help observing how calm, confident, peaceful and hopeful Michael had become.

A few days later Michael and Br Nessan returned with the good news that Betty was recovering.  They joined with our regular Thursday night Divine Mercy Prayer Group to say thanks.  Michael gave a touching testimony to all present attributing the improved health of his wife Betty to the powerful intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice.”

I leave you to reflect on this remarkable account by Brother Clement, and I remind you once again about my request for various Edmund Rice prayers, etc., which I hope to receive by Edmund’s Birthday on 1 June. Please join in the Annual International Novena, 26 April – 4 May, in preparation for the Feast of Blessed Edmund on 5 May. Please remember, in addition to your own intentions, the McGowan Family, Belfast, and the Walsh Family, Montreal, during the Novena. God bless you and yours and may Blessed Edmund guide you in your life choices.

Br Donal Blake CFC,

Edmund Rice Roman Postulator,

Edmund Rice House,

North Richmond Street,

Dublin 1,

Ireland.

01-8230097 (+353-1-823 0097)

postulatorcfc@gmail.com

4 April 2008

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Advent 2007

Greetings to all Friends of Edmund Rice! Sorry for the long silence, but personal adjustments arising from ill-health and the transfer of my office from Rome to Dublin have kept me pre-occupied with adjusting to living in Ireland after four years in Rome. I will still need to visit Rome a few times a year to keep in touch with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and to do some history research in our International Archives at Via Marcantonio Colonna 9. If and when we receive news of what appears to be a definite miracle worked through the intercession of Blessed Edmund, then I may have to spend more time in Rome to find out how to go about setting up a Miracle Tribunal. This morning’s post has brought in an invitation for all 377 Postulators to a special Papal Audience at 12 noon on Monday, 17 December.

Regarding my health, the doctor has discovered as a result of tests that I am suffering from a complaint called pernicious anaemia.  Seeing that I suffer from high blood pressure, this was the last condition I suspected.  The anaemia is being treated by a course of Vitamin B12 injections and tablets and, already, I can feel the energy returning.  I had attributed the tiredness to the recent transfer of my office and its contents from Rome to Dublin.  Please pray to Blessed Edmund that I will have sufficient energy to adequately promote his Cause.

New Dublin Office

My new address is:

            Postulator’s Office,

            Edmund Rice House,

            North Richmond Street,

            Dublin 1.

The general telephone number is: (a) from outside Ireland: +353-1- 855 6258; (b) from inside Ireland: 01-855 6258. I may, shortly, be assigned a personal number.  My e-mail address remains: postulatorcfc@gmail.com

The move was set in motion by the sale in Rome of our old Generalate, Via della Maglianella 375, and of our extra residence, Via dei Casali Santovetti 50 (where I lived).  The Christian Brothers’ only presence in Rome now is at the new Generalate located at Via Marcantonio Colonna 9, next door to their former secondary school, Istituto Marcantonio Colonna (now a Catholic University). Since we had to give vacant possession of Santovetti to its new owners, we spent a few weeks since the end of the summer disposing of all furnishings, etc.  Then I had to start again at Marcantonio Colonna and remove all the files, documents, books, etc., of the Postulator’s Office (ten large boxes) and transfer them to Dublin via Missionary Transport Service. I am busily equipping a new office at North Richmond Street at present.  It will take me some time to assign all the files and documents to new shelving and filing cabinets.  Wish me well! By the way, Blessed Edmund Rice lived here in North Richmond Street from 1831 to 1838, the last eight years of his time as First Superior General of the Christian Brothers. His bedroom is preserved as a shrine. Next door is the famous O’Connell School (OCS), named after Blessed Edmund’s great friend, “The Liberator”, Daniel O’Connell MP.

Happenings at Mount Sion, Waterford

As mentioned in my last communication, work proceeds at Mount Sion on the building of a new Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel to house his permanent tomb and a new Museum and Heritage Centre to display in a worthy state-of-the art interactive setting the history of Edmund and the early Brothers. Centrepiece of the Exhibition will be a laser-generated image of Blessed Edmund as an elderly man, created over the summer months from an examination of Blessed Edmund’s skull by forensic scientists from England. By all accounts, Edmund’s image looks very like that depicted in the oil-painting from life, the so-called “Carrick Portrait” that is stored in the Christian Brothers’ Residence at Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, founded 1806.

A very high powered committee is in charge of operations in Waterford and they assure me that the builders are up to schedule.  The programme for the Official Opening will be as follows:

Sunday, 3 February 2008:

Mass of the Dedication of the New Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel.  The remains of Blessed Edmund will be deposited in a special shrine in the new chapel.  The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop William Lee of Waterford and Lismore, assisted by the newly-ordained Bishop Seamus Freeman of Ossory.  Bishop Freeman is a member of the Pallottine Fathers and is, appropriately, a past-pupil of Callan CBS, Co Kilkenny.  He was stationed in recent years at San Silvestro in Rome, a church well-known to Irish couples who got married there.

Friday, 8 February 2008:

Official Opening of Museum and Heritage Centre. Prime Minister, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, will perform the ceremony.  During the week 3 – 9 February, a series of events will celebrate the life of Blessed Edmund and his two Congregations, the Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers.

1807: Founding of Dungarvan CBS, Co. Waterford.

Two hundred years ago, the two Mulcahy blood brothers, John and James Mulcahy, founded the Brothers’ third establishment at Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, towards the end of 1807. A Mr. Barron of Faha, Co. Waterford, bequeathed by will a sum of £1000, the interest on its investment to establish and maintain a monastery and school. This mission appealed to the charity of Blessed Edmund, particularly as there was no Catholic free-school in the town. The two Mulcahy brothers had their pioneering difficulties as the interest on the Barron bequest was insufficient for the school and they were obliged to take up farming as a part-time occupation.  Today the Christian Brothers are no longer present in the town but they are Trustees to the secondary school and primary school that they left behind them.  In early December 2007, the local people celebrated the bicentenary of the establishment of the schools in a dignified and fitting manner.

2008: Bicentenary of Edmund and his Companions taking their First Vows:

The year 2008 marks the bicentenary of Blessed Edmund and seven companions taking of annual vows “according to the rule and constitutions of the Presentation Order”,  at the Presentation Convent, Hennessy’s Road, Waterford on the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, 15 August 1808, in the presence of Bishop John Power of Waterford. The little group consisted of the personnel of Mount Sion, Carrick-on-Suir and Dungarvan, the first three foundations of the Brothers. It was an historic occasion. Heretofore, they were, at best, pious laymen but now they were consecrated religious. The fact that they, a group of men, took their vows according to a formula established by a religious congregation of women, Nano Nagle’s Presentation Sisters, set a precedent in the Irish Church.  I have no doubt but the Presentation Brothers and the Christian Brothers – and the Presentation Sisters - will celebrate the event appropriately in the coming year.

Denis McLaughlin’s new book on Edmund Rice:

Dr Denis McLaughlin, a professor at the Australian Catholic University - a former Christian Brother, - has produced a new study on Edmund Rice and on Ricean Education, just to hand. The book is a labour of love for Denis and runs to 450 pages. It is titled ‘The Price of Freedom: Edmund Rice, Educational Leader’. The foreword is written by Cardinal Edward Clancy.  The publishers are David Lovell Publishing, Melbourne, Australia. The book retails at 25 Australian dollars.  Chances are that it may become available at your nearest Edmund Rice Centre, depending on where on the planet you live. The blurb says: “This book is a critical contribution in the rediscovery of that lost man Edmund Rice. The specific focus is on Rice’s contribution as an educational leader. In so doing, the author Denis McLaughlin has critiqued many long-held traditional interpretations and has found them either historically inaccurate or challengeable. He offers alternative perspectives that richly portray an invitingly human Edmund Rice as son, victualler, husband, father, religious Brother and educational leader.” See if you agree with his assessment.

Some Vacancies among Promoters

Because of recent bereavements, realignments of personnel and restructuring of regions within both the Presentation Brothers and the Christian Brothers, we are in need of some new Edmund Rice Promoters in various parts of the world.  Both Brother Donatus Brazil FPM (Vice-Postulator) and I myself will, over the next few months, be anxious to fill the gaps in time for the next International Novena.  We appeal, in particular, to various Congregation Leaders in the areas affected to appoint people in the places bereft. On the other hand, we would welcome individuals, with an interest in Edmund Rice and his Cause, to get in touch with us.  I am available at the e-mail address: postulatorcfc@gmail.com and Donatus is available at his new e-mail address: jdb1802@ireland.com  . Remember that the miracle-cure that we are seeking may well come from your part of the globe.

‘Miracle’ in Cork?

Work is on-going on the reported favour in the Cork area.  We have been trying to assemble, with the assistance of the family concerned, a preliminary report of the supposed happening in the south of Ireland.  It is a slow tedious process and takes on a life of its own.  Since Br Donatus resides in Cork I am working closely with him in trying to establish the nature of the reported ‘cure’ and the evidence that prayer to Edmund and the use of his relic occurred around the time concerned.  Pray that both the family and the medical people involved will be able, under oath, to state that they are convinced that an extraordinary occurrence took place.  It is not required that medical people state that a miracle occurred – what is sufficient is that they acknowledge that in their experience of treating the particular disease that a cure does not normally occur in such circumstances.  Copies of the medical records have to be supplied; the quality of the evidence given under oath has to be sifted locally, and only then does an international Medical Tribunal  have a second look at the findings of the Cork Diocesan Tribunal.  That could be a long road.  Pray to Edmund in particular that this could be the favour that sees him declared ‘SAINT EDMUND’.  I think it would be particularly appropriate in the case of Blessed Edmund that Cork should be the venue for the miracle that would see him canonised, as it was in Cork that Edmund’s followers divided into Presentation Brothers and Christian Brothers. Let us keep praying.

Doneraile Memorial

Work is on-going at the Parish church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Doneraile, Co. Cork, on the Nagle-Rice memorial. As mentioned previously, the local connection with all three congregations of the Nagle-Rice Family is being commemorated – Presentation Sisters, Presentation Brothers, and Christian Brothers.  A four-way division of the cost has been agreed to – the local Parish and the three congregations.  It is hoped that the work will be completed before Easter.  For those in the south of Ireland, details of the unveiling will be announced in good time.

Novena

It is appropriate at this time of year to look back at last year’s Novena and look forward to next year’s one.  Both Linda and Fabian that we prayed for last year are still seriously ill. However, the families and communities involved state that the prayers said and the messages of encouragement sent have brought peace and resignation around serious situations, and there is always the hope that God, through the intercession of Blessed Edmund, may intervene. In the case of Linda, we should keep her whole family in our prayers as word has come that the doctors are afraid that her illness may have been transmitted to her children also.  Pity the poor husband!  Brother Fabian is now in Marymount Hospice in Cork.  He is quite cheerful and resigned, although the cancer seems to have progressed further.  He recently attended the annual Cemetery Day at Mount St Joseph.  The victory of his team, Nemo Rangers, in the Munster Club Final recently must have brought a smile to his face!  Fabian played for them with distinction many times in the past. God bless him and may Edmund guide him.

Casting our minds ahead to the 2008 Novena, let us continue to pray for Linda and Fabian and their relatives and friends.  If you have an intention that you think might be suitable for the International Novena, please get in touch with your local Edmund Rice Promoter, if you know one.  Otherwise get in direct touch with either Br Donatus or myself by the e-mails listed above. If there is some aspect of Blessed Edmund’s life that you or your friends find inspiring, please share that with us.

In the meantime, may the Blessing of the Christ Child and his Blessed Mother and the guidance of Blessed Edmund be with you and your loved ones this Christmas season and in the New Year of 2008. Keep in touch.  Live Jesus in our hearts for ever. Blessed Edmund, pray for us and for our loved ones.

Br Donal Blake CFC,

Edmund Rice Postulator/

Congregation Historian,

Edmund Rice House,

North Richmond Street,

Dublin 1,

Ireland.

8 December 2007,

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

==============================================================

June 2007

From the Postulator’s Desk

The first day of June marks the Birthday of Blessed Edmund Rice each year. Before Rome presented us in 1996 with 5th May as Blessed Edmund’s official Feastday, the first of June was traditionally celebrated, in communities and schools in the Northern Hemisphere at least, as a special day of prayer for success in the end-of- academic-year examinations. It can be a worrying time for students and their families. What are their priorities in life? Seeing that, for over 200 years, Edmund and his followers have brought education and its benefits within the reach of hundreds of thousands, we should invoke Blessed Edmund that the students will put their education to the best possible use in their life choices and careers. It is heartening to see so many in the Edmund Rice Network each year making some return for their quality education by reaching out to the less privileged in the Edmund Rice Camps, Edmund Rice Awards, the Edmund Rice Immersion Programme, in the SHARE scheme in Cork City, even “in going from one street to another to serve a neighbour for the love of God.”

This year’s Novena

By all accounts, great effort was put into this year’s Novena. Some prayed the Novena individually, others prayed it as a group, while some marked the occasion with special Masses and Talks. One man sent me an e-mail from Rarotonga in the remote Cook Islands in the Pacific that he had actually enjoyed the Novena! Isn’t that a lovely thought? What of the two special recipients of this year’s prayers? Br Fabian O’Donohue FPM who lives in Cork is still weak from his surgery and chemo-treatment but is much heartened by the thought of so many people praying through the intercession of Blessed Edmund for and with him. He had a relic of Blessed Edmund with him during the Novena. He sends his greetings and prayerful thanks to you all.

Linda Loughran from Limerick is still seriously ill. Br Kieran Loughran CFC, her husband’s uncle, did a magnificent job in circulating the Novena prayers to the extended Loughran family in Ireland, England and the USA. They feel so proud of the Edmund Rice connection and that so many, in so many countries, are praying with and for them. Linda is still quite ill and we should continue our prayers through Blessed Edmund’s intercession. Br Loughran informed me as follows: “The most recent bit of news is that the specialist treating her has informed my nephew that there is a 60/40 chance that the children may have the illness as well! They need to carry out tests on them. Please God, all will be well and Blessed Edmund will not be found wanting.” There is plenty of motivation there to continue our prayers for the entire Loughran family.

Bonnie Schott’s Celebration of the 2007 Novena

I hear you asking, ‘Who is Bonnie Schott?’ Bonnie from Indianapolis USA is mother-in-law of Dr Daire Keogh, Lecturer in History at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin. In her spare (?) time, Bonnie is a voluntary catechist at her local Catholic school. Daire, as you probably know, has written a biography of Blessed Edmund and is at present researching a two-volume critique of the Christian Brothers in Ireland. During visits to her daughter Katie who is married to Daire, Bonnie became enthused for Blessed Edmund and two years ago she recommended her niece Bridget Mayberry as a worthy focus for the 2005 Edmund Rice Novena. Bridget, you will recall, went to God in July 2005, but her little boy Cody who was ill at the time is now doing very well, T.G. I met Bonnie twice during visits she made to Rome. I first met her with Daire and Katie and their family, and then last year she was in Rome for the canonization of St Theodora Guerin, the first Indianapolis saint. We had Bonnie and her friends as guests for a meal at our Generalate. She enthused her parish priest in Indianapolis about Edmund Rice, and a first-class relic of Blessed Edmund now holds pride of place in the parish church of St Roch, Indianapolis. By the way, Fr Wilmoth also visited us here in Rome.

Now read on [e-mail of 17 May 2007]: “We had the most beautiful Mass today at St Roch’s, and I wanted to tell you about it. I saw Fr Wilmoth at about 8.40 a.m. today as I was turning in some raffle tickets before the 9.00 a.m. Mass. Father asked me if I knew what saint we were doing today. He grinned and told me I had better not be late, because they do the intro at the beginning of Mass that tells what feast day we are celebrating. Well, lo and behold, today was Blessed Edmund Rice Day at St Roch’s. His actual feast is May 5, but they did it today because Mr G’s class had prepared the Mass – and he always puts in a lot of effort. They gave a short intro to his life before Mass, and then Father gave the most beautiful sermon about Edmund Rice. Donal and Daire, you would have been very proud of Father’s history lesson on Edmund!

The readings they selected for the Mass were absolutely perfect for the life of Edmund. They did 1 Peter 4: 7b – 11 and then Mark 9: 33-37 for the Gospel. Father had our Edmund Rice relic on the altar the whole time, and Mr G had the kids sing “Set Your hearts on the Higher Gifts” for the responsorial Psalm. He did the Servant Song for the Offertory, and the kids took up several items that reflected the life of Blessed Edmund in the Prayers of the Faithful. They sang “The Summons” song at the start of Mass.

You are probably wondering why I am telling you all this. Well, as I sat there listening to the sermon, I felt I was experiencing a little bit of heaven today. I think there were many celestial beings “in the house” today. And I realised that this was a very special Mass, with the relic and all the perfect readings and songs. So I asked Blessed Edmund if he would heal Matt’s back at the Consecration and help Tom find a new job and direction….

And Father Wilmoth, Mary De Armand, Mr G and myself were all at this Mass, and we have all been to the International Headquarters of the Irish Christian Brothers in Rome! …I am really hoping that Edmund Rice will be canonized before our Indianapolis Edmund Rice Fan Club gets too old to travel to his canonization! We are all ready to buy our tickets now and be there for the occasion, now that we are seasoned veterans of Rome canonizations. I cannot think of a better way that Edmund Rice could pay Daire and Katie back for all the work that have done to write his history than to cure one of their relatives – and I nominate Matt! I believe that Bridget was with us in spirit today, along with my Mom and Dad.”

What can I say? Doesn’t it do your heart good to hear of such devotion to Edmund, in a city where there are neither Christian Brothers nor Presentation Brothers! But with promoters like Bonnie (and her parish priest), who is to say that our next miracle won’t come from Indianapolis USA? God bless you, Bonnie, and may Blessed Edmund bless you.

Death of Philosopher John Moriarty (1938 – 2007)

After a brave struggle with tumours, that great searcher, philosopher John Moriarty, for whom we prayed in last year’s Novena, returned to God on Friday, 1 June 2007, Edmund Rice’s Birthday incidentally. For a short time he lost his cradle Catholicism and sought the truth in a great search through Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and the beliefs of Eskimos and Australian Aborigines. He finally travelled full circle back to Jesus of Nazareth and his childhood Christianity. Along the way he discovered closeness to God in a garden. A mystic, he lived his final years in the shadow of Mangerton Mountain in Kerry and acquired a wonderful appreciation for the spirituality and contribution to society of Blessed Edmund Rice. The author of several books, ‘Dreamtime’ written in 1996, gives a wonderful account of his search ‘for the Holy Grail’ of God and Goodness. He was laid to rest on Monday, 4 June, in Aghadoe Cemetery, after Holy Mass in the Cathedral, Killarney. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh (another Moriarty), the well-known broadcaster and sports commentator, devotes the final chapter of his most recent book to John, ‘From Borroloola to Mangerton Mountain’ (2006). On p.265, he claims about John:

“I subscribe to the school of thought that advances the notion that this unique philosopher will one day be recognized as one of Ireland’s greatest original thinkers.” Light of Heaven to him from all of us.

Memorial in Doneraile, Co. Cork, to Nagle Rice Family

I mentioned a few issues back about the possible construction of a memorial to all three congregations of the Nagle Rice Family in my native Doneraile, Co. Cork. It is most unusual that all three groups should have a connection with one particular location. Some of the earliest Presentation Sisters (including Nano Nagle), Christian and Presentation Brothers (including some of the pioneers of the North Monastery and South Monastery, Cork) are from the immediate area. Br Michael Augustine Riordan, first Superior of the separate South Monastery (1826), was architect of the Parish Church of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady (1827). My contention is that it was Nano Nagle’s local reputation and example that facilitated so many local men joining Blessed Edmund Rice’s early Brotherhood. The story continues into the future through the influence of the local Nagle Rice Secondary School.

At a meeting during Easter Week 2007 that included the parish priest, some parishioners and representatives of all three religious congregations, it was decided to go ahead and erect a memorial. The three congregations and the parish will share the cost of the monument. A sub-committee is actively planning a design at present, and a follow-up meeting is planned for the end of September, on a date when I can attend from Rome. Nano Nagle’s Cause took a turn for the better recently with the appointment of Fr Brendan Cooney, Procurator of the Kiltegan St Patrick’s Missionaries, as Vice-Postulator. His special task will be to have the title ‘Venerable’ bestowed on the Servant of God, Nano Nagle, as soon as possible. Many years of historical research have been completed by Sister Pius O’Farrell PBVM. Let us share our prayers for Nano’s eventual canonization with the promotion of our own Edmund. He would be the first to acknowledge that he owes a debt of gratitude to Nano. His early Brothers followed her Rule and they were initially known as Religious of the Presentation.

Laser Image of Blessed Edmund

As readers of this column may know, great work is afoot at Mount Sion, Waterford, to erect a monument truly worthy of Blessed Edmund. A new Chapel to house Edmund’s permanent tomb is being erected and a new International Heritage Centre to do justice to Blessed Edmund’s reputation is almost completed. It is envisaged that the centrepiece of this new amenity will be a laser-generated image of Blessed Edmund’s head. All the necessary permissions have been obtained at Roman and local level. On Monday, 18 June, the coffin will be opened by Mr Thompson, the local undertaker. The skull will be reverently placed on the altar for laser-photography and then re-buried. Under my direction as Postulator, a group of scientists from Liverpool Museum will attend and carry out the necessary scientific work. Then a Dr Caroline Wilkinson, a noted forensic scientist, will reconstruct Edmund’s face (1) as an old man, (2) as a younger man, by methods perfected by police forces in the past fifty years. It is generally acknowledged that the early portraits of Edmund Rice taken from life leave something to be desired. The results of the advances of modern science will, hopefully, give a clearer picture of what Edmund really looked like. The results, with an explanation of the scientific methods deployed, will form the focus of the new International Heritage Centre, all going well. By the way, the present Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Mount Sion, the temporary resting place of the remains of Blessed Edmund, will be demolished at the end of June to make way for the newer and larger chapel being constructed to house Edmund’s new permanent tomb. Please pray to Blessed Edmund that what is envisaged under the leadership of the special committee working under the direction of Mr Barry O’Brien CEO, former Director of Waterford Glass, will result in a worthy final resting place for Edmund, our future Saint Edmund, and a source of inspiration for all his many followers.

Recent Snippets about the Presentation and Christian Brothers

On 5 May 2007, Feast of Blessed Edmund, the three ‘home’ Provinces of the Christian Brothers representing England and Ireland came to an end. In their place is the new European Province, embracing Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe, with new headquarters at Marino, Dublin. Former foreign missions in Africa and South America now form part of new Provinces in these vast continents. The challenge for the new European Province may well be to look at unanswered needs in Europe itself. Its very first Provincial Chapter takes place at Sedgley Park, Manchester UK, at the end of July and the beginning of August.

The Presentation Brothers recently opened their very first Community on mainland Europe. It is located in Slovakia and will concentrate on service to the Roma/Romany people, often considered to be the most discriminated against group in modern Europe. The new community consists of Seán Bonner (Co. Donegal), Vincent Costen (Co. Waterford), and Michael McKeown (Co. Tyrone). We pray that Blessed Edmund may be with his Brothers in this new endeavour.

At an impressive Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, on 6 May 2007, the Christian Brothers’ continued presence in the USA since 1906 was celebrated by a large congregation, including Christian Brothers, Presentation Brothers, students and staffs from the New York schools, and members of the Edmund Rice Network. The chief celebrant was Bishop Gerald Walsh, Auxiliary Bishop of New York. The Christian Brothers were officially represented by Br Michael Godfrey CFC, Deputy Congregation Leader, Rome, and Br Hugh O’Neill CFC, Province Leader, North American Province, Texas. The Presentation Brothers were represented by Br Gerard Despathy FPM, Province Leader, and Br Francis Sebo FPM, Florida. Ad multos annos!

In October 2007, the Christian Brothers’ five provinces and region, covering Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Pacific Islands, will unite as the new Oceania Province. The headquarters will be at Brisbane in Queensland, symbolically facing out to the Pacific Ocean where the Brothers have recently opened two Communities in the Philippines.

In answer to a query, Claudia, the little American girl with leukaemia that we were praying for in last year’s Novena, is recovering well. Her uncle is Br Francis Schafer FPM, Kissimmee, Florida. In a recent e-mail, he stated that Claudia (7) is back in school and is living the normal life of a seven-year-old. She has been through a rough time of chemotherapy. “Her hair is now growing back and her body’s physique is returning to normal. She will conclude the maintenance phase of therapy in November. Claudia has been a little hero through this journey. She has faced several setbacks with amazing courage.” So keep praying, keep hoping that Blessed Edmund’s intercession will see her through.

Keep in touch. Keep cheerful. Keep praying. Keep Edmund under pressure.

Br Donal S. Blake CFC,
Edmund Rice Roman Postulator
Congregation Historian
+39 06 3211 0363

postulatorcfc@gmail.com
1 June 2007,
Birthday of Blessed Edmund