Ethos & Charism

Saint Ambrose College is one of twelve English schools which retain links to the Edmund Rice Network. Born in Callan, Ireland, in 1762, Edmund Rice founded his first school in Waterford in 1802. Such was the standard of education provided by Edmund and his colleagues, they were quickly invited to start similar schools across Ireland. Before long, Edmund’s ‘brothers’ were travelling to England and even Australia to establish their model for Catholic education. In 1808 Edmund and seven men took religious vows and, in 1820, the Congregation of Christian Brothers was approved by the Holy See.

As the Congregation evolved following Edmund’s death in 1844, their mission inevitably changed. By the late 20th Century, as the Christian Brothers continued to be drawn to the most marginalised across the world, they moved out of teaching in the English schools and focused on outreach ministry and education in the developing world.

Today, all of the English Edmund Rice schools share a set of statements which explain the ongoing connection to the charism of Edmund Rice called the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice school:

• Evangelising the Modern World
• Promoting the Spiritual
• Building a Christian Community
• Compassion for those in Need
• Concern for the Whole Person
• Striving for Excellence
• Education as a Christian Calling
• Education for Justice

 These ‘Eight Essentials’ are explained below:

WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BLESSED EDMUND RICE

Our school is rooted in the charism of our founder, Blessed Edmund Rice. By joining Saint Ambrose College, all staff and students are joining a rich Network of Edmund Rice Schools across the world, spanning every continent and 30 countries. The Network is about far more than schools, though. This helps to explain the ethos of the Edmund Rice Network and how it remains relevant today . . .

In England, the Edmund Rice Network is coordinated by the Edmund Rice Office (ERO) in Liverpool. The team at the ERO provide formation and ethos training for staff, promote student involvement in outreach ministry, provide prayerful opportunities for reflection and act as a link to other Edmund Rice ministries across the world.

Find out more by visiting https://www.edmundriceengland.org

EDMUND RICE DEVELOPMENT

‘Edmund Rice Development’ (known as ERD) is a development organisation based in Dublin inspired by the life and vision of Edmund Rice.  ERD works with people living in the world's poorest communities and aims to transform their lives for the better. Inspired by the vision and legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice, Edmund Rice Development is today working with people living in poverty in India, Bolivia, Peru, the Philippines and nine countries across Africa.  ERD seeks to tackle the root causes of poverty and oppression through informal education programmes and schools, human rights and advocacy initiatives, HIV and AIDS programmes, and income generation and livelihoods projects. 

Because of funds donated to them by us, the community of Saint Ambrose College, ERD has been able to support St Ambrose Academy in Sierra Leone. Saint Ambrose Academy is our ‘sister school’ in Freetown, Sierra Leone: http://www.edmundricedevelopment.org/index.php/new-school-extension-for-st-ambrose-academy-freetown-sierra-leone/

The best thing about ERD is that a minimum of 90% of donations to ERD goes directly to the projects in the field with the remainder used to contribute to administration, governance and fundraising costs. 

ERD are absolutely committed to using donations that they receive to work with people in the world’s poorest communities to transform their lives and so at St Ambrose College we are always looking for ways to donate to ERD and help them continue their good work.

Examples of help that we have given to ERD: