Congregation of Christian Brothers
Discovering Brotherhood
Each Brother is an open letter from Christ-a message written, not with ink but in the Spirit of the living God, with a faithful human heart to carry it!
Brothers are lay religious, who profess vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They commit themselves to a life of ministry and prayer within the community.
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Iona College takes its name from the island of Iona located in the Inner Hebrides just off the west coast of Scotland. It was on this tiny island, some 1,400 years ago, that the Irish monk, Saint Columba, established an abbey from which missionaries went forth to teach and evangelize. The island of Iona became the center for faith and learning which contributed significantly to the religious and cultural development of Western Europe. It was in the spirit of this heritage that the Catholic order of educators, the Congregation of Christian Brothers, founded Iona College in 1940.
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice
Founder of the Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Founder of the Congregation was Blessed Edmund Rice. Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice was born a Catholic, in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland in 1762 and died in Waterford, Ireland in 1844.Edmund founded the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1802 in Waterford, in order to provide quality, Catholic education to the materially poor. Learn More »
Prayer of Thanks for Blessed Edmund Rice
O God, we thank you for the life of 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 Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
