St Mary’s was founded in 1899 and was administered for 97 years by the Christian Brothers. The last of the Brothers left Toowoomba in 2003. They have left an indelible mark on the history of the College and on the lives of so many of the young men who have been educated at St Mary’s. The Christian Brothers were founded by Edmund Rice who began his ministry of education in 1802. His vision spans the two centuries since and forms the basis of what we value in the long tradition of the Brothers and Edmund at St Mary’s.
Edmund saw that there was a terrible injustice in the lack of availability of education to the poor Catholic boys of Waterford in Ireland where he lived. This lack of education was a barrier to their full participation in society at the time and ensured that most were enslaved by both the bonds of poverty and ignorance. Scholars are currently coming to an understanding that Edmund’s vision was founded on the recognition of the dignity of the human person and an attitude of attention to the revelation of God in every person and all of creation. The purpose of faith and education then becomes LIBERATION of self and others.
His motivation has been described as PROVIDENTIAL CARE, which led him to pursue with all the means available a resolution of the issue at hand. There are clearly identifiable characteristics in the education he provided from this motivation.
Edmund’s aims seem to have been;
- To free the boys from the injustice of ignorance.
- To educate them in faith.
- To provide a practical education. He saw to their needs through the provision of food, clothing and shoes.
- To ensure the boys become active, thoughtful and freely participating members of society.
A LIBERATING Edmund Rice Learning Framework for St Mary’s College should then include INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, PRACTICAL and COMMUNAL elements. In developing the whole person within a supportive “family” environment, there is a need to liberate our young men today from the perils of apathy, mediocrity, selfishness and hedonism; from the unchecked pursuit of materialism and consumption and from the destructive elements of competition.