College celebrates Founder’s Day
May 6, 2010
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The St Joseph’s Nudgee College community paid tribute to Christian Brothers Founder Blessed Edmund Rice on his Feast Day this week.
Edmund’s Feast Day, also known as Founder’s Day, was on Wednesday May 5th. The College commemorated the occasion with prayers during pastoral care time and classes. The daily student notices also contained a prayer for the Canonization of Edmund Rice and the Hail Mary with a particular explanation of its meaning and significance to Edmund and his Brothers.
“May 5th was nominated by the Christian Brothers and approved by the Vatican in 1996 as a commemorative day to mark the occasion of Edmund's beatification,” Dean of Identity Mr Chris Ryan said.
“Feast Days are usually on the date of death of the venerated person, however Edmund died on August 29th which is the Feast of John the Baptist so the Vatican didn't approve the date.
“May 5 commemorates the time Edmund opened his first major school, Mt Sion in 1804. Mt Sion is in Jerusalem where the Covenant with God is believed to be kept. It marks as a place of clear presence of God. It is an unusual name for a school and deliberately chosen,” Mr Ryan said.
In 1789, after the death of his wife in an accident soon after they were married, Edmund Rice began to devote himself more to prayer and charitable work, particularly with the poor and marginalised.
He believed deeply in the importance of knowing people by name, knowing their story and providing opportunity, challenge and support. He greeted his students by name each day with a handshake and his schools were renowned for their spirit, positive discipline and family like atmosphere. He was profoundly respected for his compassion and generosity.
“Edmund Rice believed that the primary purpose of education was the liberation of the heart and mind to make a difference in the world,” Mr Ryan said.
“Edmund believed in the words of Our Father, ‘Thy Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven’. He was an educator before his time in using his resources to change the structure of opportunities for poor people so that they would be able to liberate others.
“Edmund Rice is undoubtedly one of the key architects of contemporary Catholic Education. He believed that education is the price of freedom.”
Mr Ryan encourages the College community to join him and Christian Brother Vic Larkin for some quiet time, and insightful comments from Br Vic about the life of Mary and her significance to the Christian Brothers, each Thursday throughout the month of May.
“May is the month of Mary and like we did last year, Br Vic and I will host some simple prayer time in the Chapel from 8.20am each Thursday during May. Last year, some sixty students joined us each Thursday, particularly our Papua New Guinea students who have a special devotion to Mary in their spirituality.”
