Edmund Rice resigned the office of Superior General in the year 1838, because his health was rapidly failing. His step grew slower, his hair was for many years snow-white, his face had grown furrowed and his memory was not so keen. From Dublin he retired to his beloved Mount Sion to prepare for death.

Now that he was free from the burden of responsible office, he had for the first time in a long life the opportunity of giving himself without interruption to God in prayer and meditation. In the flower of manhood he had longed for the peace and seclusion of a Trappist monastery. For special periods of retreat and solitude he retired to Armestown, Co. Waterford, a quiet seaside village.

At last he became so weak that he was forced to use a wheel-chair to get about. Though physically he had changed much, he was still the same kind, gentle person he had always been. When the novice in whose charge he was, forgot to attend to him there was no complaint.

Edmund Rice was for some time one of Waterford's wealthiest men. When he died his Community at Mount Sion, Waterford, was so poor that he was buried at the expense of a charitable Waterford man (Mr. Harrington), who knew the Brothers had not sufficient money to bury their Founder.

Some time after the death of this great educator, a special Mass in his memory was celebrated in Waterford Cathedral. The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Most Rev Dr Foran, knowing how poor the Brothers were, paid all the expenses in connection with this function.

Why were the Brothers so poor? Because they wished above all things to be able to keep their schools open to the poor. In order to do so they cut down on their own expenditure and led lives of great poverty.

These few facts may enable us to understand why Edmund Rice gave not only his life and labours, but all he possessed of this world's goods to the cause of Catholic education.

His work was inspired by the love of God and zeal for souls. He gladly offered his life and his ample wealth that more and more boys should come to know and love God and His Blessed Mother in his schools and that throughout their adult life they should loyally serve God and their country and thereby merit the joys of loving and praising God in heaven.

ANT. Companions, emboldened by his example, came to join him; by doing, he taught them.

Happy those who fear Yahweh

and joyfully keep God's commandments!

Children of such as these will be powers on earth;

each generation of the upright will be blessed.

There will be riches and wealth for their families

and their righteousness stands firm forever.

Even in the darkness, light dawns for the upright,

for the merciful, compassionate, and righteous.

handling their affairs honestly.

Kept safe by virtue, they are always steadfast,

and leave an everlasting memory behind them.

With a trusting heart and confidence in Yahweh,

they need never fear evil news.

Steadfast in heart they overcome their fears;

in the end they will triumph over their enemies.

Quick to be generous, they give to the poor;

their righteousness stands firm forever.

People such as these will always be honored.

This fills the wicked with fury,

until, grinding their teeth, they waste away,

vanishing like their vain hopes.

ANT. Companions, emboldened by his example, came to join him; by doing, he taught them.

The life of Edmund Rice is the record of his progression from being an exemplary Catholic layman to the stature of a heroic religious founder. Today we honour this man, who in his daily life lived the message of the Gospel, and brought Christ to the people who were his concern. Let us pray, therefore, that we too may live out that same message of Christ and thus show ourselves to be true sons of our holy Founder:

1. We pray that Christ may always live in our hearts and be visible in our loving concern for all the people of God. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

2. We pray that we may be penetrated with the spirit of our holy founder and renewed in the same great faith and all-embracing love. Lord, hear us.

3. We pray that all brothers may bring Christ to the world and extend the kingdom of God on earth by their own Christ-like loving. Lord, hear us.

4. We pray that our sick and infirm brothers may be comforted and consoled, and that they may see in their sufferings a means of extending God's kingdom. Lord, hear us.

5. We pray that God may enlighten all our brothers in authority to guide our Congregation in these days of renewal so that it may fulfill the mission entrusted to it by Christ's Church, Lord, hear us.

6. We pray that our parents, relations, friends and benefactors, living and dead, may be rewarded by God for their many sacrifices on our behalf. Lord, hear us.

7. We pray that we may all show a filial love for our Blessed Mother whose great act of faith, shown in her complete response to God's will, gave to all people the Saviour of the world. Lord, hear us.