Edmund Rice Youth--Seniors--Prayer Service
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness.
Christ became the light of the world when he willingly accepted the Father’s mission for Him on earth. No person in history has lit the world the way Christ did and had the impact of Christ.
(Psalms 34:5) They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.
Blessed Edmund Rice became the light of the world when he first reached out to help another person fanning the flame of Christ’s light.
(Psalms 18:28) For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
The Christian Brothers’ helped to continue Christ’s light in Chicago in 1926 with the opening of Leo High School.
(Psalms 43:3) Oh, send out your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.
Thirty years later in 1956, Christ’s light become brighter with the foundation of Brother Rice High School.
(Psalms 89:15) Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance.
1961 the light of Christ grew white hot with the foundation of St. Laurence High School.
(Psalms 112:4) Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Brother Rice has added burning embers to the light of Christ with KAIROS, in-house service to others through Peer Ministry.
(Proverbs 4:18) But the path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
The Brothers at Brother Rice High School with twenty-four young men formed at group called the Edmund Rice Leaders in 2006. These men carried the light of Christ given to Blessed Edmund into the lives of young men at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish.
(Isaiah 9:2-3) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
We are the inheritors of the light of Christ, the light carried by Blessed Edmund, the light of Christ carried to Chicago by the Christian Brothers, and the light of Christ glowing today at Brother Rice High School.
(Isaiah 42:6-7) "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
At Baptism our parents and Godparents were handed a candle representing the light of Christ burning in my life. They were told to nurture this light until we ourselves were able to hold the candle and nurture our own Christ light.
(Isaiah 29:18-19) In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
The Christian Brothers, working with our parents and Godparents, offered me an opportunity to not only fan the light of Christ in my life but in the lives of others. The light of Christ offered me is the same light of Christ lived by Blessed Edmund Rice, the light of faith, the light of brotherhood, and the light of service.
(Daniel 12:3) Those who are instruct others unto justice and those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the stars forever and ever.
As men of light-filled faith, we seek to build a Christ-light-filled brotherhood bringing Christ’s light of love through service of others. As we prepare to leave Brother Rice High School we are being offered another opportunity, development of Edmund Rice Groups on our college campuses to continue to be men of faith, building a brotherhood in service of others.
(Isaiah 60:1-3) Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Light your taper using the Pascal Candle.
I, insert your name, share in Christ’s light. I also share in the light of Christ given to Blessed Edmund as lived at Brother Rice and throughout the Edmund Rice Network. I have my own special light given to me by God to share with the world. When I share this light freely in faith, I will be helping to build a brotherhood in service of others in Christ’s name as lived by Blessed Edmund Rice.
The following verses are said by the whole community.
(Matthew 5:14-16) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
(John 8:12) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
(John 1:9) He was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
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