Rosminians – Institute of Charity

Charity’s flame flickers brightly at the Rosminians – Institute of Charity in Dublin. This building whispers tales of compassion, education, and controversy. The Rosminians, officially known as the Institute of Charity, have a rich history intertwined with Dublin. Their story began in 1828 with Blessed Antonio Rosmini. He envisioned a group dedicated to “charity,” the ultimate Christian virtue. The Rosminians arrived in Ireland in the 1840s. A key figure was Luigi Gentili. They became deeply involved in education. They ran industrial schools like St. Patrick’s Upton and St. Joseph’s Clonmel. They also contributed to secondary education at St. Michael’s Omeath and Rosminians College in Dublin. The Rosminians’ legacy extends to St. Joseph’s School for the Visually Impaired, now ChildVision. This became the National Education Centre for blind children. The Rosminians showed their commitment to ChildVision. They sold the land in 2014 but secured a 25-year lease. This ensured the continuation of services for visually impaired children. However, the Rosminians’ history isn’t without shadows. The order faced allegations of abuse in institutions they managed. The Ryan Report in 2009 brought to light systematic abuse at Ferryhouse and Upton. This cast a dark cloud over their legacy. Rosminians – Institute of Charity represents both light and darkness. It stands as a testament to their dedication to education and charity. It also serves as a stark reminder of the abuse scandals that marred their reputation. The Rosminians continue their work here in Dublin. Their story unfolds, a complex tapestry of compassion and controversy.