Let us remember that God is here with us in this holy place.

"What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?"

READER
They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him,

CLEOPAS
"Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?"

JESUS
"What things?"

CLEOPAS
"The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They are at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him."

JESUS
"Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?"

READER
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying,

"Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is nearly over."

READER
So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other,

CLEOPAS
"Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"

READER
That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made know to them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:13-35

Like the disciples at that first Emmaus walk, we had known what it was to have our hearts burn within us, and we had found an energy that enabled us to turn around ... away from our lack of confidence in the God who was leading us that way.          - The Heart of Being Brother, 2002

READER 1
As Christian Brothers, sharing in the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, we are moved by the Spirit to be aware of the providential presence of God in our lives, and to respond to Christ present and appealing in the poor. C.#24b

READER 2
In our mission of evangelization we endeavor to proclaim gospel values, to affirm the dignity of all people and to work for justice and peace. C.#26a

READER 3
Jesus Christ is the center of all brothers’ educational endeavors. Appropriate religious education must be given Priority in the allocation of human and other resources in the mission of evangelization. S.#27.1

READER 4
We are sent by the Holy Spirit to be signs of God’s love and compassion for all our brothers and sisters, but especially the poor, the powerless and the oppressed. C.#4a

READER 5
As apostolic religious we are missioned by the Church for the evangelization of youth, and especially for the education and care of the materially poor. This mission is expressed through a variety of ministries. In each ministry we respond creatively to emerging needs in a changing world. C.# 24c

A PRAYER OF DEDICATION

The God-fire which burned in the heart of Blessed Edmund became in him the energy for transformation in the lives of many others also, especially the people who were poor, neglected and relegated to the margins of mainstream society. He befriended the poor and developed a relationship with them which was characterized by loving and compassionate service. We stand before you, God our Creator who sent the Holy Spirit to be with us and teach us all things. We renew our dedication and our commitment to the work begun by Blessed Edmund; to serve the young, especially to the poor in the ministry of evangelization and Christian education.

We strive to recognize the uniqueness of each of those to whom we minister and to enable them to accept and recognize their own special relationship with God. We also strive to establish a Christian brotherhood where we experience evangelization in an environment of acceptance and love.

We ask you God to be with us and to help us. We dedicate to you our ministry of Christian education. Amen!

A BLESSING