"Now as your numbers diminish in some places, they increase elsewhere. And beyond the bounds of the Congregation itself the Edmund Rice Movement is stirring new energies among lay men and women who share in your spirit of work..."
                                                        Holy Father's address, March 2002

HYMN:         ‘Bind us together, Lord, bind us together'


READING 1 -     Congregation Chapter: Listening for God
 

Constitution #3 reads as follows: We are gifted with the charism of Blessed Edmund, our Founder, and we are responsible for nurturing it. We recognise that this charism is shared by others who can draw inspiration from Blessed Edmund. The Direction concerning The Edmund Rice Family was a formal congregational proclamation of something that was already emerging in many parts of the world.. . In the last six years, we, as Brothers, have been privileged to live, minister and pray with women and men, young and old, whose lives have been deeply affected by Blessed Edmund Rice. Many have given a special emphasis to work among the poor. Some have travelled far from home to be with and minister to the poor of other lands. Men and women, who have long been our colleagues in ministry, have now found ways of making explicit something deep in their spirit and spirituality.

Former Brothers have found a pathway to be true to a dimension of their lives that could never leave them. Parents and families of Brothers have also been involved. Young men and women have brought a new energy and vibrancy in their concern and care for youth less privileged than themselves.

Through all of this, Brothers were being invited to express a new measure of relatedness, mutuality and inclusiveness. More than that, we continue to be invited to share our faith and our mission with others who draw inspiration from the vision of Blessed Edmund.

We would want to affirm again this development or movement as a gift for the Church and the world.

 

REFLECTION
 

Ant.     All the peoples will give praise to the Lord.

    Psalm 66
    God, be gracious and bless us
    and let your face shed its light upon us.
    So will your ways be known upon earth
    and all nations learn your saving help.

    Let the peoples praise you, 0 God,
    let all the peoples praise you.

    Let the nations be glad and exult
    for you rule the world with justice.
    With faithfulness you rule the peoples,
    you guide the nations on earth.

    Let the peoples praise you, 0 God;
    let all the people's praise you.

    The earth has yielded its fruit
    for God, our God, has blessed us.
    May God still give us blessings
    till the ends of the earth revere God.

    Let the peoples praise you, 0 God;
    let all the peoples praise you. (Glory to you ...)



READING 2 -     LISTENING FOR GOD

A key issue is the connection of the Edmund Rice Family to the Congregation of Christian Brothers. It is worth noting at this point that the Congregation would also experience itself in various places with connections to the Nagle-Rice Family and to the Presentation Family. Clearly, what is currently designated as the Edmund Rice Family has obvious connections to the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

Among matters which will need attention, clarification and acceptance into the future will be:

• The Congregation of Christian Brothers as a Religious Congregation in the Church

• The Edmund Rice Family as an association of women and men who are in the Lay or Religious State. Ordained Priests are also involved

• Participation in the Edmund Rice Family neither negates distinctiveness, on the one hand, nor mutuality and interdependence, on the other

We want to affirm the outstanding goodness of so many people who find inspiration and meaning for their lives in the gift of Blessed Edmund.

In particular, we are deeply grateful for the research, reflection and writing that has been undertaken and widely shared. To all who facilitate and participate in formation programmes for the Edmund Rice Family, we are deeply grateful. We have been humbled by so many people who have expressed such deep appreciation of the experience of being with our Brothers in many parts of the world.

It is right to affirm the gift of so much diversity in the Charism of Edmund which has led to such positive experiences of community and mission.


INTERCESSIONS:

With the same deep faith and enduring trust shown by Edmund Rice, let us bring our prayers and petitions before our loving God.

• That with the faith and generosity of Blessed Edmund, the Church, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of Pope John Paul, will work tirelessly to proclaim the Gospel and to build a just, free and caring society ...

• That in the caring spirit of Blessed Edmund, leaders in our world may constantly hold faithful service and care of all people as the guide to their decisions...

• That like Blessed Edmund, we may welcome into our lives the poor and all in need, especially young people, and that we may work to eliminate discrimination and injustice...

• That faithful to the vision of Blessed Edmund, we may respect the God-given dignity of all and their right to an upbringing and education that is life-giving and empowering, and work creatively to achieve it...

• That all of us in the family of Blessed Edmund will follow his example of fervent prayer and daily reflection on the Word of God...

• Others intentions followed by the Edmund Rice Prayer ...

                BLESSED EDMUND RICE PRAYER

            O God, we thank you for the life of Blessed Edmund Rice.
            He opened his heart to Christ
            present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
            May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
            Grant us the courage and compassion of Blessed Edmund
            as we seek to live lives of live and service.
            We ask this through Christ our Lord.
                                        Amen.

CLOSING HYMN:     ‘Edmund Rice Anthem' (Colin Smith, cfc)

        Gifted by the Spirit and nourished by the Word,
        You listened humbly to learn what God desired.
        God the source of light and love, favoured all your days.
        We name you, Blessed Edmund Rice.
        We sing our song of praise.

        Faith, gave you hope, a strength which never died
        Hope gave you patient trust, the love of God revealed.
        Love guided ev'ry deed. Blessed Edmund Rice,
        You live a life of joyful sacrifice.

        Called to follow Jesus Christ, you heard his voice so clear:
        Come, never falter, and challenge ev'ry fear.
        Many others followed you, caught your vision's fire.
        You lead us, Blessed Edmund Rice,
        Your deeds of love inspire.

        Live, Jesus in our hearts, forever.

Br. Ollie Harkin (SA)