Edmund's first followers
Austin Dunphy in
Origin tells us that "about this time he was joined by two other young men, who intended to devote their lives to the gratuitous Education of poor boys. Their motives, in thus associating together, were, in the first place, to withdraw from the dangers of a sinful world; and in the next place, to sanctify themselves by frequenting the Holy Sacraments, by prayer, pious reading, self-examination, retirement, and works of mercy, especially that of instructing poor ignorant boys in the principles of Religion, and Christian piety. On the seventh of June one thousand eight hundred and three, they first occupied the dwelling house; and towards the end of the same year, the Schools at the East end of the house were finished.
On the first day of May 1804 the schools were opened for the reception of the poor children. Mr Rice and his two companions were, about this time, joined by another young man: so that they were now four in number. The good effects of their instructions soon became visible in the conduct and manners of many of the poor children; so that this circumstance was good encouragement for them to proceed in their meritorious undertaking. The Schools soon began to attract public notice, and the scholars increased daily".
Edmund and his growing number of followers were striving to feed, clothe, and teach the poor, unruly boys of Waterford. Mature men of very varied accomplishments and of different social background joined him: a silk merchant, a wine merchant, a teacher of mathematics, an accomplished musician, a banker, an architect and builder, a captain in the yeomen, and a parish clerk.
According to McLoughlin, the first generation of Brothers was well educated and had met the challenge of earning a living. They often brought property in the form of a dowry and several had brothers who were priests.:
Austin Dunphy, Rice’s long-time deputy, was described as a most capable manager ‘having both discretion and ability’
Patrick Ellis, who became novice-master, had been a professor of mathematics in hte Diocesan seminary in Waterford.
Francis Manifold had been a major in the Wicklow yeomanry
Ignatius Barry was a certified chemist
Joseph Cahill is described as a man of independent means
Thomas Cahill had been a prosperous boot-maker and had speculated successfully in considerable real estate. (He had been flogged for his part in the 1798 rebellion)
Laurence Watson and Thomas O’Brien (a man in his sixties) were both wine merchants
Joseph Ryan had been extensively engaged in the leather trade
Joseph Keane was a silk trader
Joseph Murphy, uncle of Margaret Aylward who founded the Holy Faith Sisters, whose literary attainments were extensive, came from a wealthy family
Jerome O’Connor and Baptist Leonard are described as ‘well educated’ and having good business capacity
Joseph Leonard was a bank manager
Austin Reardon had been an architect and builder
Paul Riordan had been an accountant
James Dollard had been ‘an excellent businessman
John Wiseman was a qualified civil engineer, “as well as being erudite in English, Irish literature, Latin and Greek.
John Power was a nephew of the Bishop of Waterford
John McClelland was a former Presbyterian whose father had been a minister in that church.
Clearly, Rice's first followers were substantially educated, some conversant in the classics, while all had been engaged successfully in the workforce. They not only brought with them an appreciation of what boys needed to have to gain meaningful employment, but also sound business sense, organisational acumen and a practical and relevant orientation in the conduct of their schools. The early Brothers were religiously motivated and committed school masters, enthusiastically focused on the children’s development and their achievement. They provided a powerful alternative role model to the children’s struggling and illiterate parents, often “overburdened by the persisting struggle to reconcile resources with children’s needs” (see McLoughlin p. 145)
Thomas John-Baptist Grosvenor
Edmund Rice’s first companion in Waterford was Thomas Grosvenor, from Callan, County Kilkenny. A man in his early twenties, he had been a hatter by profession. In 1802, three men, Edmund Rice, Thomas Grosvenor and Patrick Finn took up residence in the living quarters above the converted stables in New Street, Waterford, where the Brothers’ first school was opened. Teaching poor boys, who had never been to school proved a difficult and challenging task, however, due to dedication and diligence order was established, and as successful school system was established. Thomas Grosvenor, having assumed the religious name John-Baptist, was one of the seven Brothers who made profession of vows for one year on 15 August 1808. The following year he made these vows perpetual.
Brother Rice was invited to open a school in Dublin. While such development presented challenges, the absolute necessity of making some provision for the education of thousands of boys in Dublin appealed to the heart of the Founder. To establish this foundation Edmund asked his oldest companion and confidant to open the school in the capital. In 1812, Thomas John-Baptist Grosvenor, left Waterford and opened the Brothers’ first school in Dublin. After availing of temporary quarters then school was opened in Hanover Street East.
As early as 1814 Grosvenor visited England, in all likelihood seeking support from the Treasury. Here he also met Father Dunn who was interested in having a Brothers’ school in Preston. In a long letter to Father Dunn Grosvenor inadvertently opened his own soul. He wrote, “… the members of this society undertake to educate and improve the poor, from no other motive than that of pure and disinterested charity, considering that to instruct them carefully and deeply and to improve their young and tender minds with a knowledge of their social duties is an exercise whereby they can render great glory to God and the greatest service to his creatures…”
A major development among the Brothers was the process of seeking Papal approval for the Institute. For some reason Brother Grosvenor was not happy with the development, or his felt his vocation was elsewhere. When the Pope approved the new rules in 1820 Thomas withdrew from the Brothers and began studies for the priesthood. Following ordination he spent some years teaching in a Dublin school.
Thomas Power
The blessing of the Mount Sion residence in 1803 and of the school in 1804 indicated that steps forward, albeit tentative, were being taken towards making the establishment permanent. The fact that either Bishop Hussey or his successor Bishop Power officiated at each function meant there was Church approval at the highest local level. We know that in 1804 the community consisted of Edmund Rice, Thomas Grosvenor, Patrick Finn and John Mulcahy. That next man to join the community was Thomas Power.
From the beginning the Brothers were anxious to receive approval of the Institute from Rome and be permitted to make profession of the usual religious vows. They were well aware that the Presentation Sisters in nearby Hennessey’s Road received approval in 1805. One of Thomas’ relatives may have been a member of that community.
After four years of dedicated and unpaid service, he decided to leave the Institute. This decision was not made lightly. We can be sure the other Brothers in the community, while respecting his freedom, and grateful for his Herculean services, were saddened to see him leave. In 1808 Thomas Power, conscious of the essential apostolate of Catholic education, yet aware that the call of God was for him to go elsewhere, parted company with the Mount Sion community.
Austin Dunphy
The fourth native of Callan to join the Edmund Rice infant society was Edmund Dunphy. Aged 23, his mother was a Murphy and it is not known if she was related to Edmund Rice’s mother’s first husband, Mr Murphy. Edmund was just eleven years of age when he first met Edmund Rice. The meeting made a lasting impression on the sensitive child. We are not surprised that Edmund Dunphy’s vocation to religious life grew from that encounter. As he says, “He [Edmund Rice] was unquestionably a remarkable man. The first time I met him was in the year 1796. He was then a fine-looking man, and bore a high character…”
Edmund Dunphy joined the Mount Sion community in 1808. Receiving the religious name Austin, he devoted his energies to teaching the poor boys attending Mount Sion school. At this time plans were being drawn up for schools in Limerick and Thurles. The Limerick school did not materialize until 1816, when Austin was appointed pioneer leader of the new community. Coinciding with his transfer to Limerick Austin Dunphy was happy to welcome his younger brother Michael into the Institute. However, the need for Brothers was greatest in Dublin. Michael joined the community at Hanover Street East, where he spent his entire religious life.
When the first General Chapter of the new congregation was held in January 1822 Austin was elected Assistant to the Superior General, Edmund Rice. He fully supported Edmund Rice during the challenging years, dealing with Catholic Emancipation, the 1829 Assembly, writing the new Constitutions of the Society of Religious Brothers [1832], transferring the Congregation to Dublin, and dealing with the controversy caused by the acceptance of the National Board of Education’s jurisdiction, and supporting the necessary introduction of pay schools.
Brother Edmund Austin Dunphy died suddenly in Carrick-on-Suir in 1847, aged 62 years. The development of the Congregation of Christian Brothers was possible in a significant way through the selfless dedication and commitment of many men from County Kilkenny. Obviously the position of Edmund Rice was paramount. Next, chronologically, we recognize the Brothers Dunphy. The commitment did not stop there. Several nephews and grand-nephews of the Dunphys, inspired by the example of their uncles, also joined the Congregation.
John Ignatius Mulcahy
John Mulcahy was one of the four holy men mentioned by Bishop Thomas Hussey in his letter to Rome about the new house in Waterford. His father Bartholomew was a native of Clonmel. John’s elder brother James joined the Brothers later on. Having borrowed £300 from John, Edmund Rice paid him an annuity of £30 for the next forty-four years.
John Mulcahy was pioneering superior in 1806 in Carrick-on-Suir and in 1807 in Dungarvan. These early foundations experienced many difficulties, especially regarding funding. When John opened the house in Dungarvan he was joined by his elder brother, James. Together they formed the community for the next seven years. With three houses now in existence, Waterford, Carrick and Dungarvan, Bishop Power permitted the Brothers to make profession of religious vows.
When papal approval was received the majority of the Brothers accepted it. However, John Mulcahy, and his Cappoquin establishment continued to follow the Presentation Rule. For the next quarter of a century John Mulcahy would soldier alone. John persevered in his lonely existence, ever zealous to the children’s education. He died, unexpectedly, on 25 February 1845. His school ceased to exist. His burial place is unknown.
Patrick Finn
Historians inform us that Edmund’s first two companions hailed from Callan; Grosvenor does not cause any doubt; Patrick Finn’s status is more complicated. Shelly, the Callan-born chronicler, says Finn was from Callan; Finn’s Cistercian records say he was from Dungarvan. Patrick Finn, together with Thomas Grosvenor, joined Edmund Rice in the converted stable at New Street, Waterford, in 1802. These three men formed the first community of Brothers, giving generations of followers inspiration to follow Christ in the education of youth.
Patrick moved to Mount Sion in 1803, and began teaching in the new school building the following year. He witnessed the growth of the Congregation with foundations in Carrick-on-Suir and Dungarvan. However, when time came to profess religious vows Patrick had a change of mind. Deeply religious, devoted to prayer, being an active Religious was not his vocation. He did not make vows in 1808, and he left Mount Sion.
Patrick was accepted in the Lulworth Cistercian Monastery, Dorsetshire, England, on 29 July 1809. He remained just two more months at Lulworth. We do not know Patrick’s whereabouts for the next eighteen years. On 11 March 1827, he entered the Cistercian Monastery at Melleray, receiving the religious name Anthony. He made profession as a Brother on 29 April 1828. The peace and tranquillity expected in a monastery did not last long. The political upheavals caused the monks to leave their monastery; the non-nationals were driven out. With sixty-three others Patrick sailed to Cobh, Co. Cork, making their way to Rathmore, County Kerry. Eventually they moved to Cappoquin, County Waterford, where they established Mount Melleray Monastery in 1833.