Edmund Shanahan was born at Kilbaha, Moyvane, Co. Kerry in 1841. He entered the novitiate at the South Monastery, Cork, in 1860, taking Austin as his name in religion.
With Br. Xavier O'Connor he compiled a supplement to Butler's Catechism which was embodied in the episcopal text. Circulation exceeded two million copies before his death.
Br. Austin was principal teacher in the South Monastery for eleven years during which time he trained numerous monitors on his staff. In 1871 he was elected Superior of the South Monastery to succeed Br. Paul Townsend. At that time half of the house was reserved for the parochial clergy but resulting from Br. Austin's negotations the priests moved to a residence in George's Quay and the whole house became available for the Brothers' use.
From 1871 to 1874 he was very much involved in the building of St. Joseph's Industrial School in Greenmount. In 1880 when St. Vincent's, Dartford, was in danger of being given in charge to another Institute of Brothers because of Br. Augustine Ryan's ill health and the decision of Br. Joseph Keogh to return to secular life, Br. Austin took charge. He returned to Cork in 1882, leaving St. Vincent's in a very satisfactory condition and was again elected Superior at the South Monastery.
In 1885 Br. Austin presided over a meeting of all professed Brothers in the South Monastery at which it was unanimously decided to petition Rome to allow changes in the Constitution which would permit the centralisation of authority under a Superior General. Four years later, following a visit by Br. Austin and Br. Patrick Shine to Rome to "push" the petition, approval was secured. At the subsequent General Chapter (1889) Br. Austin was elected one of the four Assistants to Br. Patrick, who was elected Superior General. He continued to be a member of the General Council until his death.
In the late 1880s and early 1890s Br. Austin travelled extensively in the USA as well as in Australia and New Zealand collecting money to build the new novitiate at Mount St. Joseph. On his return to Cork the building debts were still very great and Br. Austin was asked to solicit alms locally, even begging coppers in the Coal Quay Market in Cork on Saturday mornings.
Br. Austin died peacefully on October 24th 1902. He is buried at Mount St. Joseph.
Reference:
Gentlemen of the Presentation (Feheney, Veritas, 1999)
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