FEAST DAY OF BLESSED EDMUND RICE - 5TH MAY 2025

Fr Michael O' Shea

Years ago I was asked to bring an Argentinian  bishop and parish priest  to the estate of Major Hugh Dawney in Kilmeaden in Co Waterford. He ran a polo training school there, and while buying ponies in Argentina he met his future wife, Maria Ines. During the course of the dinner I asked her if she knew of Colegio Cardenal Newman in Buenos Aires. “The best school in Argentina” was her reply. Edmund Rice would have been proud of her answer.

Bishop Lucey in Cork had his residence in the field next to the Brothers in the North Mon in Cork. In retirement he did a tour of India. He came across so many Edmund Rice Schools he was amazed. On arrival back in Cork he went to visit the Mon. He told the Brothers he was completely unaware of the tremendous work they were doing in foreign lands until he experienced it first hand.

In Wexford CBS there are three special classes. Edmund Rice’s daughter was a special child. He would be proud to know that such children are educated now with the mainstream. They teach us so much.

Sunday, October 6, 1996 was one of the great days in the Edmund Rice Family when the banner of Edmund Rice was unfurled from the balcony of St Peter’s at his beatification. The following day there was a magnificent liturgy in the basilica itself for the Edmund Rice groups from all over the world. John Paul II was to celebrate the Mass but after the beatification service he was admitted to hospital with appendicitis. Cardinal Daly took his place. He told us it was his last public service and his first time celebrating Mass at the main altar in St Peter’s. Choirs from schools all over the globe together with the magnificent organ in St Peter’s combined beautifully. Bishops formed a circle around the altar, and priests an outer circle. A thunder and lightening storm outside shook St Peter’s and continuously lit up the basilica. A magnificent liturgy indeed.

When we witness the work of the followers of Nano Nagle, Catherine McCauley, Mary Aikenhead, and Visitation Clancy in Ireland and around the globe it is obvious that these women are among the saints in heaven. Their banners deserve to be unfurled from the balcony in St Peter’s.

“By their way of life You offer us an example, by communion with them you give us companionship”