Colmcille Murphy

The Congregation of Presentation Brothers, abbreviated F.P.M., is an international Catholic laymen's order established in 1802 in Waterford, Ireland, by Edmund Ignatius Rice. Initially focused on education with the mission to "form Christ in the young," the Brothers have expanded their ministries to include work with the homeless, elderly, disadvantaged youth, and the Roma people. They take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, living in communities and adhering to the motto "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the greater glory of God).

Edmund Rice, born in 1762, was a businessman who turned to religious life and charitable works after personal tragedy. He began teaching young boys in Waterford in 1800, leading to the formation of the congregation. The Brothers' rule was adapted from the Presentation Sisters, and by 1832, a formal rule was adopted, leading to the Congregation of Christian Brothers. A segment of the Brothers, however, chose to remain under diocesan jurisdiction, continuing as Presentation Brothers with a devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel.

The Presentation Brothers have a global presence, with communities in Ireland, England, the US, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Grenada. They have founded numerous schools worldwide and have been involved in educational development programs. The Generalate of the Presentation Brothers is located in Cork, Ireland.

The Presentation Brothers were founded in 1802 in Waterford, Ireland, by Edmund Ignatius Rice, a local businessman. The congregation's core mission is to "form Christ in the young," traditionally pursued through educational endeavors. Over time, their scope has broadened to encompass a wider range of charitable activities, including support for the homeless, the elderly, disadvantaged youth, and the Roma people. The Brothers take solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, living in communal "communities." Their guiding principle, adopted from the Jesuits, is "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam," meaning "For the greater glory of God."

Edmund Rice was born in County Kilkenny in 1762 into a family of prosperous farmers. Despite the restrictive Penal Laws of the time, which limited Catholic education, Rice eventually attended an academy. He apprenticed in Waterford and became a successful businessman, investing in land and property. Following the death of his wife, Mary Elliot, and the subsequent birth of their handicapped daughter, Rice experienced a profound spiritual awakening. He became deeply religious, developed a devotion to Saint Teresa of Jesus, and engaged actively in charitable work, assisting the poor of Waterford. His desire to provide education for boys, inspired by the Presentation Sisters' work with girls, led him to begin teaching youngsters in 1800, initially from his business premises.

Rice's initial group of followers formed a small community, adapting the Presentation Sisters' rule. This adaptation was approved by the Holy See. A formal Rule for the Religious Brothers was adopted in 1832, establishing the Congregation of Christian Brothers, allowing for greater mobility of brothers across dioceses. However, a faction led by Brother Michael Augustine Riordan opted to remain under local bishops' jurisdiction, continuing as Presentation Brothers, who were recognized as a Pontifical Institute in 1889. The Presentation Brothers have since expanded internationally, with their first school outside Ireland opening in England in 1876. Key foundations have been established across North America, the West Indies, Ghana, Peru, Nigeria, and Slovakia, reflecting a missionary spirit inspired by Irish saints like Brendan and Colmcille.

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

“form Christ in the young”