From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   May 5th - Bl. Edmund Ignatius Rice   
      
   BL. EDMUND IGNATIUS RICE was born at Westcourt, Ireland, on 1 June 1762,   
   when   
   Irish Catholics were oppressed by the weight of anti-Catholic legislation   
   devised by the Protestant English to keep the Catholic majority in   
   subjection.   
   The fourth of seven sons, he grew up in a devout farming family. At the age   
   of   
   17 he began work at Waterford in his uncle's commercial enterprise, which he   
   later inherited.   
      
   Married at 25, he lost his wife two years later and was left with   
   responsibility   
   for an infant daughter in delicate health. Supported by his strong faith, he   
   accepted his cross and grew in close union with God through meditation on   
   the   
   Scriptures and frequent attendance at Mass and the sacraments. He dedicated   
   himself to works of charity, putting his riches at the service of the poor.   
   He   
   became a model Christian layman.   
      
   Between 1780 and 1841 the population in Ireland doubled, and there were many   
   economic and political problems associated with the education of youth and   
   the   
   care of the aged and infirm. The rebellion of the American colonies in 1776   
   encouraged Irish Catholics to work for equality with the Protestant English.   
   The   
   Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 was one of the fruits of this struggle. It   
   was   
   in this atmosphere that Edmund Rice lived and worked.   
      
   Despite the attraction of the contemplative life, he could not forget the   
   miserable condition of so many boys in danger of losing their faith. In   
   1802,   
   encouraged by Pope Pius VI and with the blessing of Bishop Hussey, Edmund   
   sold   
   his business, arranged for his daughter's care and opened his first school   
   in an   
   abandoned stable, living on the upper floor.   
      
   Soon other teachers, attracted by his example and spirit, joined him and so   
   a   
   religious community was founded in Waterford. In 1808, in the chapel of the   
   Sisters of the Presentation, Edmund and his companions made annual vows   
   "according to the rule and Constitution of the Order of the Presentation   
   approved by the Holy See". Edmund took the name in religion of Ignatius.   
      
   In 1820, the Congregation of the Christian Brothers, modeled on the Brothers   
   of   
   the Christian Schools of St. John Baptist de La Salle, became an institute   
   of   
   pontifical right. Some other brothers, wishing to remain under their   
   Bishops,   
   maintained the existence of the earlier institute of the Brothers of the   
   Presentation.   
      
   Edmund's work spread across Ireland, and then to England, Gibraltar and   
   Australia. He resigned as Superior General in 1838 and died on 29 August   
   1844.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Make a little cell in your heart for Jesus of the Agony; take refuge there,   
   when   
   you hear Him outraged by men, try to make reparation; you, at least, love   
   Him   
   and keep your heart quite pure for Him. Oh! If you only knew how the good   
   God   
   loves pure hearts! It is there that He loves to reign.   
   --Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   The just shall stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted   
   them, and taken away their labors. These seeing it, shall be troubled with   
   terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected   
   salvation, saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of   
   spirit. These are they whom we had some time in derision, and for a parable   
   of   
   reproach. We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honor.   
   Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is   
   among   
   the saints   (Wisdom 5:1-5)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Imitate Christ   
      
    Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live   
   a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a   
   fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.   
    But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,   
   or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for   
   God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse   
   joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you   
   can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person -- such a man is an   
   idolater -- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no   
   one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath   
   comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with   
   them.   
    For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.   
   Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all   
   goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.   
   Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose   
   them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in   
   secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is   
   light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:   
      
    "Wake up, O sleeper,   
    rise from the dead,   
    and Christ will shine on you.'   
      
    Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise,   
   making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.   
   Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do   
   not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with   
   the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.   
   Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God   
   the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   
    Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.   
      
   Ephesians 5:1-21   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)