Who is Edmund Rice?

Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice was a father, husband, philanthropist, educator, and visionary. In the two centuries since his death, his example as a man of compassion, action, and faith has inspired thousands, like Edmund, to make the world a better place for all life.

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Edmund’s early life and foundations

Edmund, born in Callan Ireland in 1762, was born to Margret and Robert Rice. His family home was a six-roomed thatched cottage on his tenant farmer father’s 175-acre farm.

 

Edmund was the first member of his family to be formally educated, and at 17 he was apprenticed to his uncle, a merchant in Waterford, Ireland. Waterford was a thriving port town, Europe’s second largest at the time. His uncle’s business dealt in the trading of livestock and goods, particularly to British ships that would pass through the port. Following his uncle’s death in 1779, Edmund took over the business and quickly became a man of high regard and influence in Waterford. It was in this period of his life that Edmund began some of his work in supporting the orphans, senior citizens, and those made poor.

 

He was also a man of deep Catholic faith. As a child he was regularly in contact with Augustinian Friars for both his education and to celebrate Mass. In Waterford, Edmund regularly turned to a group of Jesuit Priests to help shape his spiritual direction and counselling. Edmund was known to attend Mass daily, and an avid reader of spiritual texts, including The Bible, a copy of which he scribed his favourite passages such as Luke 6:35: “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return…”. The development of his faith led to Edmund becoming an active and influential member, and advocate  of Waterford and Ireland’s Catholic community.

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A husband and a father

Edmund married at about 23. Not much is definitively known of ‘Mrs. Rice’, including her name. She died young and left Edmund heartbroken, and a single father to their daughter, Mary. What is known is the profound effect this had on Edmund. Edmund had lived an early life of great privilege, but his experience of going from a happy husband to a bereaved widow and single father changed him.

 

Convention at the time would have Edmund send his daughter to be raised by his in-laws and failing that to his parents. Edmund was a man who often bucked the conventions of the time and chose to raise his daughter himself. In time Edmund called on his step-sister Joan to assist him in raising Mary.

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Edmund’s experience of fatherhood only compounded the calling of his heart in the aid of the poor and the needs of his community.

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Dedicated to justice

Throughout his life, Edmund was a man dedicated to justice. His reputation in business, as a man of integrity often led to Edmund being made the executor of wills and trustee of various charitable bodies. This included:

• helping new orders of sisters with finances and investments,

• supporting widows and orphans,

• and providing housing to those made homeless.

 

His passion for justice and advocacy also led to Edmund establishing several charitable bodies including:

• The Trinitarian Orphan Society which housed, clothed, fed and supported 100 orphans.

• The Distressed Roomkeeper’s Association provided support to those living in Waterford’s crowded slums, particularly aiding the elderly living without family or care.

• The Waterford Mendicity Asylum housed and employed with dignity those coming to the city looking for work and relief from famine and crop failures.

 

Edmund was a man who held great compassion for those imprisoned. In Waterford, he was a regular visitor to those in jail, often bringing money and donations. His largest gift was relationship and counsel, to the extent that “many of these [men] had become hardened and callous during their imprisonment…[and] were unresponsive to the chaplain but were won over by Edmund.” He would sit with those facing execution, providing them with what solace he could provide, often accompanying them to their executions.  

 

Br. John Norris (1823 - 1912) recalled a story of Edmund's generosity in action. Towards the end of his life, Edmund was living within a monastery when "a poor woman and her children called at the monastery for relief - he [Edmund] had no ready cash about him at the time - he then drew on the pantry and gave her all the stores he could find." Edmund was always aware of his great privilege and would profess for all to "give to the poor in handfuls".  Edmund was a man driven by a passion for justice and leaving people’s lives better than he found them.