Anglo-Hibernian (St. Joseph's) Province 24th (1926) Provincial Chapter Convocatory Letter

--- Page 1 --- CONVOCATORY LETTER provincial . of the province of St. Joseph very Rev. PR. Malachy of the " Vii does Twenty-Fourth provincial chapter from the of the --- Page 2 --- Fr. Hilary of the Immaculate Convention who has left behind him flattering commendations of the work done by our fathers on their and many disappointments we have at last secured what is proving with commendable prudence and seal , and thereby created the far- personal inconvenience is doing us the honour of presiding at our distinction which is of course our secular vacation , but we would rears have I received an unsatisfactory report from our missions . rears there is hardly much cause for gratification . The ever is of the Congregation of the West Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Retreat , Belfast , where close upon 30 promising postulants are an for which however we are in no way responsible , and we have to Having obtained the requisite permission of the Most creasing demand for our Fathers to conduct apostolic missions is to summon the Chapter a few weeks earlier than is usual , in order They have now joined the Congregation of the Passionists in heavy annouce the completion of a beautiful church without incuring any it is because we have long ambitioned and laboured for this In making a casual survey of the events of the last self-sacrificing professors . We have no doubt to regret a few deflections from the Congregation in the parishes and hospitals and institutions connected with run As a result we have found it difficult at time to satisfy all the present being prepared for Natriculation by our most capable and If I emphasise the success of our missionary enterprise Jesus Christ , Peace and Blessing in the Lord . able pride and gratitude that we are the forecast rank as mixed Rev. Father General , we have now to announce to you the convocation requests for missions and retreats . I would like to take this oopor To the Very Rev. Father Consultors , Rectors , Master of Novices , and el's Retreat will understand the icy with which we are " ab extra debt , and the solemn blessing and opening of this church at ioners in these countries . and everything points to the probability In the progress of the Province during the last three buses who have done such admirable work for the salvation of souls unity to testify , that in no single instance during the last thr that with God's blessing we shall maintain that none institution Malachy of the VTT Doloura . Provincial of the Province of St. Joseph ening of the chapter , and St. Joseph's Retreat , Highgate , London , not thereby minimise the arduous if less noticeable labourers of those as the place for the holding of the said Chapter . It is necessary We appoint the 30th day of May next as the day of the chapter . three years . we can all find much for which to be grateful to God . the XXIV Provincial Chapter of our Province . Those who know the history of the foundation of St. to be a most suitable house for an Aluminate at St. Patrick ' issions and retreats . I think we may now justly claim with pardon- but on the contrary I have frequently been stratified by the most irable impression which caused their ministry to be sought after . We have to rejoice that after long years of searching mourn the loss of some of our most excellent Religious . in itself the surest proof that the missionaries have labour Malady of the VII Dolours . Provincial of the Province of St. Joseph such an ediffvine record of niety and real sustained to the end the convenience of the Pr. General , who at considerable se we have long ambitioned and laboured for to suit the convenience of the Pr. General , who at it is because we have long ambitioned and tabouration , but we would e who know the history of the foundation of but on the contrary I have frequently been gratified by the most tunity to testify , that in no single instance during LL the " Priests , Students and Lay Brothers of AL the Priests , Students and Law Brothers of the said Province the Chapter , and St. Joseph's Retreat , High --- Page 3 --- Chapter to discover such men and to place in their warning the toubt that our welfare under God is dependent upon the Superiors necessities have been abundantly supplied by the goodness of Holy Patrons , St. Michael , St. Joseph , St. Paul of the Cross the opening of the same , " the Clerks and Lay Brothers shall " offer It the same time it would be presumption to pretend prayers : - # Paters . Aves , and Glorias in honour of our most of late years to have penetrated all classes and conditions of shall be recited in addition to the above travers . On the days flory and prosperity of our Mother the Conversation let us all our superiors should be men of dirty . strength of character , and 2 . Certificate of the faithful keeping of the archives sign fearthily join in the prayers which are hereby enjoined in order L. Certificate of the faithful celebration of Nasses signed against the spirit of materialism , the impatience of restraint . of the Triduous preceding the Charter as well as on the day of ter the " Veni Creator " with the versicle and prayer ; the Lita all the priests of the house except the Rector or Superior ments have been made . Our Churches have been renovated , our in which we live is not favourable for the development of resul- ous are altogether perfect . but this I must say after many years Our indebtedness to outsiders is being steadily reduced expenditure since the last Chapter signed by the Rector and Vicar . which we have to thank God heartily and comparatively little animated with a great love of and respect for all the venerable of the Blessed Virgin with the antiphon and prayer ' Concede sent , it is the clear deduction of common sense and is confirm And furthermore from the 16"day until three days before the 0 arity and sanctity , and perhaps never was it more necessary that gious shall recite during the time of meditation the following considering all the circumstances of our lives , there is much from traditions of our Order . It is the purpose of the forthcoming 4 . A correct financial statement of the Retreat - Viz. the income and ser , and the election of our superiority "000,000, IT invariable experience . Therefore so children who have the over his own Foundation has brought about this havoc result . the 26 day of war ( about the mainest the next . " We are convinced that St. Gabriel who has always watched who are placed over our house . This is not a mere minus earth- Providence . that the blessing of God may be on the deliberations of the Chap- the Rector or Superior and Vicar . heir Holy Commons for the same intention . I shall not pretend that our lives as Passionist Relig- and St. Gabriel with their respective antinhons and traversal houses have been made more comfortable , and all our temporary at which the Bishop of the Diocese is to upside on the 23rd May of experience . By God's grace , our province has stood up many d seals of office , together with the following documents : people . " And in the condition of our Province at the present time , which need cause us serious alarm or anxiety . We remind the Rectora to bring their " Litteree Patent need be no anxiety about our temporal welfare that we can dissense with viliance and fervour . The ethos x Commons for the same-in-law " before parents " er , and the election of our superiors . We obtain that from the receipt of this letter until id in our other Retreats also many important And in our other Retreats also many important imp lich need cause us serious alarm or anxiety . I shall not pretend that our lives as Passio dispense with village and fervour . The at that the blessing of God may be on the deliberation 3 . Inventory of House , Church and Sacrietyfurnit estinies of the Province for another three years . No one will revolt against authority , and the love of pl testinies of the Province for another three years . --- Page 4 --- Mahachy of his Seven colours . Provincial . and vicar . Referatory . I am your humble servant and brother in Christ . Given at St. Joseph's Retreat . Hisbeate . London . 9th April 1926 . To be read publicly to be Religious assembled in Choir or The Canitular Fathers including the Master of Novice Praying God to bestox on you His choices . Blessings . preliminary meetings . hand or in bank at the time of leaving office signed by the Rector monies borrowed at interest and the percentage payable : movies he evening of the 26th May , so as to be present at the Triduum and terest to date , including rents , taxes , and mentioning the amount In creditor , and finally the amount of the balance is About interest : all outstanding debts and current I ired to be at St. Joseph's Retreat . London , not later than ful statement of the debts of the Retreat showing th orrowed without interest : all outstanding debts and