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Religious Order

Congregation of Christian Brothers

Catholic Religious Orders and Congregations
Origin from 1802

The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide Catholic religious community founded by Edmund Rice, who opened its first school in Waterford, Ireland, in 1802 at a time when Catholics faced significant discrimination in the United Kingdom. Rice founded the congregation to provide education to disadvantaged youth, and it takes its motto, Facere et docere, meaning to do and to teach, from that mission; it is also known as the Irish Christian Brothers or Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, distinguishing it from the unrelated De La Salle Brothers, who are sometimes also called Christian Brothers. As of 2024 the congregation had approximately 680 members and its general headquarters in Rome. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Classification
Kind of order
Catholic Religious Orders and Congregations 1
Apostolate
Teaching and Education 2
Apostolate
Charitable and Medical Work 2
Who may join
Men Only 1
Belief
Defining Doctrinal Position
Catholic Apostolic Magisterial Authority 2
Practice
Liturgical Language
The vernacular 2
Liturgical Language
Latin 2
Origins
Origin Period
from 1802 1
Organisation
Ordination
Vowed Religious Profession (not ordained) 2
Status
Status Today
Living tradition, practised today 1
Connections

Belongs to Tradition

Roman Catholicism, Denominations
Source Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools

Governed By Polity

Centralised Corporate Polity, Doctrines
Source Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools

Originated In

Ireland, Countries
Source Wikipedia, "Congregation of Christian Brothers"

Rooted In

Roman Catholicism, Denominations
Source Wikipedia, "Congregation of Christian Brothers"

Uses Liturgical Language

Latin, Languages
Vernacular Language, Languages
Sources
1. Wikipedia, "Congregation of Christian Brothers"
  • lead paragraph
    The Congregation of Christian Brothers (Latin: Congregatio Fratrum Christianorum; abbreviated CFC) is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Edmund Rice.
  • Originated In: Ireland, Lead section
    Their first school opened in Waterford, Ireland, in 1802.
  • Rooted In: Roman Catholicism, Lead section
    The Congregation of Christian Brothers (Latin: Congregatio Fratrum Christianorum; abbreviated CFC) is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Edmund Rice.
View the Source
2. Islamic Mysticism: A Short History
Alexander Knysh, Brill
Wikidata: Congregation of Christian Brothers
Wikidata Q783988, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)
  • Governed By Polity: Centralised Corporate Polity, Government of the order
    Government The institute is governed by a superior general elected for life by the general chapter.
  • Belongs to Tradition: Roman Catholicism, Papal approval
    Nature and object The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a society of male religious approved by the Church , but not taking Holy orders , and having for its object the personal sanctification of its members and the Christian education of youth, especially of the children of artisans and the poor.
View the Source
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