This is the fifth in a series of profiles of researchers who were awarded a 2024 Lasallian Research Grant or Lasallian Research Travel Grant by the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN).
Brother Rory Higgins, FSC, is an independent researcher who serves as a District council member for the District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea (ANZPPNG). Awarded a Lasallian Research Travel Grant, Brother Rory will research the 100 Irish Brothers who came to the United States in the 1860s, in hopes of finding the first vowed American Brother.
In the following Q&A, Brother Rory answered a few questions from Christian Brothers Conference.
How do you see your research benefiting the wider Lasallian community?
I believe my project will benefit the broader Lasallian community by providing valuable insights into the remarkable individuals who established and operated schools across North America. It highlights how we build upon the legacy of these great men and underscores their significant impact.
What inspired you to take on this project?
What inspired me about this topic was the opportunity to explore the rich history of the Brothers’ lives. One hundred men left their homes in Ireland to become Brothers in the United States. This raises several questions: Who were these men? What became of them? What was their success rate in terms of perseverance? What contributions did they make to the Lasallian mission?
To learn more about Lasallian Research and Travel Grants, visit our Higher Education Support page.