Provincial chapter 1893 convocatory letter

--- Page 1 --- 7/3/4/1 . Retreat , Harborne , Birmingham . This authentic copy was made It was this day placed in the archives of St. Paul's Retreat to replace a copy missing for from a copy . Lent by St. Mary's many years . July 4 , 1955 . I. ElementsON . on the 9th July 1893 to take place . of the Anglo Hibernian province Rector . CONVOCATARY LETTER of the 13th Provincial chapter at St. Paul's retirement Mount Argus' Dublin Download as PDFPrintable version for the --- Page 2 --- We hasten to communicate to you the intelligence just communicated to ) triennial event in the history of our Province . to follow from them , how deeply interesting to all of us is not this , and permission to provoke the 13th Provincial Chapter of Our Province , an Whether we consider the origin of such assemblies , the Divine assistance Health and Benediction in the Lord . us by Our Most Rev. Father General Bernard Mary of Jesus , giving us power and following this example General and Provincial Chapters have been The origin of such gatherings may be traced back to that first neeting or council of the Apostles held in Jerusalem when St. Peter , event which cannot fail to be regarded by you as of the greatest importance . convoked , for the better government and discipline of Religious Orders . promised to those who take part in them , or the results which are expected be wanting to those called out to take part in such meetings , for in a Chapter , legitimately convoked , Christ himself is present , for we have his The Divine assistance , so necessary on such occasions , will never days God made choice among us that the Gentiles by my mouth shall hear the addressing those present , spoke this : " Wen brethren you know that in former model National . And Diocesan Synads have been held in every age of the Church HISTORY of St. Joseph , Provincial of the Province of St. Joseph . From that first meeting came the idea of General Councils . After this own words assuring us : " Where there are two or three gathered together in word of the Gospel and believe . " Acts XV. 7 . the Very Rev. Fathers Consultors , Rectors , Superiors , Master of Novices , Rev. Fathers , Students , and Brothers . to my name , there an I in the midst of them " Matthew XVIII , 20 . Matthew XVIII , 20 . 1 . --- Page 3 --- The object or purpose for which a Provincial Chapter is summoned is to remedy the abuses which through human frailty may have crept into the we are informed , filled with youthful aspirants who hope are long to be regular observance , and general discipline of the Congregation , to and devoted band of religious ( whose numbers we have been happily able to for the coming three years who by their prudence , charity , love of recall the religious to their first fervour , and to make regulations , augment ) is now placed on a firm foundation and is being recruited by the zeal and energy of our Revered Predecessor . as each community ; but the chief and principal work which will develop and sanctity of life those subjects whom the Almighty will thrust to very large proportions , having acquired several new foundations using to not be our of place if for our mutual encouragement we briefly record the on the Capitular Fathers is to choose and select men to act as Superiors The Australian foundation inaugurated by him and successfully good accomplished by the children of the Province during the last three and to frame Statutes for the government of the entire Province as well The Retreat of the Novidate at Mary's Mount , Goulbourne is at present fervent youths being belonging to those parts . numbered among the professed children of the Congregation . established by the Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus of the B. Virgin and a zealous The Retreat of St. Brigid at Marrackville , Sydney , possesses four religious observance , and discipline , will encourage and lead to perfection their care and solicitude . At the termination of our period of office as Provincial it will At the time of the last Provincial Chapter the Province had assumed years . 2 . --- Page 4 --- place than they have hitherto rested in , by the addition of two Chapels , in the Annals of the Congregation , and the Province has reason to be proud friends and the energy of Superiors as well as the economy practised by In this retreat the observance is now kept in its entirety so that now rejoice in having a spacious and comfortable house in which they can hope soon to be able to remove the holy remains of the Ven. Fr. Dominic , volunteered , to relinquish to many happy home associations , and in true taken to carry out the pious wishes of this gentleman . of land to erect a Retreat on in a place called Moss Vale in the Archi- already built to the existing Church . of the Mother of God , and Mr. Ignatius of St. Paul , to a more The Australian foundation has not with a success unequalled we believe diocese of Sydney . It is hoped that before long practical steps may be students who have finished their philosophical course . from the standing debt of the Province , owing to the benefactions of kind onerous and laborious duties with which they are charged . A considerable amount of pedinary responsibility has been wiped out and edified at the self sacrificing manner in which so many of our brethren In St. Ann's Sutton , owing to the generosity of a kind benefactor we we hope at the coming Provincial Chapter it will be erected into a canonical the Southern Cross at the Antipodes . Missionary spirit go to make Christ Crucified better known and loved under retreat of the Province . A kind benefactor has given the Congregation a considerable portion Mission House at St. Munges , Glasgow , so long deprived of a suitable residence attend better to their own sanctification and discharge more efficiently the Here at home we have not been idle . The religious attached to our --- Page 5 --- the Congregation has been prosecuted with ability and zeal , both in We take this occasion likewise of thanking every member of the Province felt gratitude and thanks for the warm affection and sympathy we have is not necessary for us at present to detail . We feel , however , that we to the majority and seal with which our religious have at our request taken Fishoys and Priests of the various diocese in which we have been called to to others and contributed in no small degree to the fair name and reputation The holy labour of the Missions , the distinctive and special work of mis government , in the discharge of our responsible office . that their incessant labour , self-denial , sobriety and notification received from them , at a time when we were much distressed , Iest the Divine pleasure in regard to our Province , it is not unknown to you that the Province has had its trials and screws , also , the nature of which it familiations and sorrow of our beloved Province , were occasioned by our ove it to the religious of the Province , that we should express our heart- It remains now for us to exhort you Very Rev. Fathers , who will form part in this meritorious work of their vacation and it is known to us While however we thank God , for these and many other marks of the for the kind congratulations and fervent prayers offered to us and for us , practised during the time of the Holy Missions have given great edification We gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity of bearing testimony the 13th Provincial Chapter of our Province , to consider seriously of the Congregation . Australia and at home so as to call forth the commendation and thanks of the on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of my Ordination to the Priesthood . Labour . 40 --- Page 6 --- beforehand the responsible duties which will devolve on you at the coming Chapter , and to pray yourselves and ask your religious also to obtain light in the future as I sincerely hope that it has done in the past will depend , respective prayers . recited in common by the Community , during the time of the afternoon The internal discipline of each Retreat , the external and active be to their brethren , as far as in them lies , faithful models and t a great extent , on those who will govern and guide the Province in the is to be a chief characteristic in the lives of our religious . ' If , in in a matter where , God's honour , the interests of religion and the for the success of the Chapter , we prescribe the following prayers to be from on high for the happy issue and success of our labours . To this end , besides the prayers which every religious will offer up overvance and discipline . If burning seal for the salvation of souls , Three Paters , Aves , & Glorias in honour of St. Michael , St. Joseph , and Our Holy Founder , St. Paul of the Cross , with their The most responsible and anxious duty , however , which we will be a word , the Spirit of St. Paul of the Cross is to influence and animate us representatives of our Holy Founder . If the province is to preserve and maintain , love for religious matter for serious deliberation . work connected with each , the financial condition of the Province , will supp called upon to discharge at that time will be to select Superiors , who will meditation , from the 5th June till the 5th July : We have then all of us need of prayer to obtain light and guidance Congregation are so much concerned . Veni creator & prayer , LIVANY OF THE FLESSED VIRGIN , with PRAYER " CON future . --- Page 7 --- On the days of the Tridum , as on also the days of the Chapter , all the Students , Lay-Brothers , and Novicos , will receive Holy Commission . 5 . A faithful statement of any debts due by the House , including : 1 ) Money besides the "littense patentes " and Seal of Office , the following documents : 4 . A correct financial statement of the Retreat , giving an abstract of our Provincial Chapter which will be held in our Retreat of St. Paul of the also any sums of money credited to the House ( if any ) . borrowed at interest , and mentioning the percentage paid yearly on it ; all the Fathers of the House except the Fathers' or Superior . We remind the Fathers Factors and Local Superiors to bring to the Chapter left in the deposit or Bank , before leaving the House for the Chapter , and the three years of administration and stating at the same time , the amount headings , as for example , Church , Library , Sacristy , etc. assist at the Tridum prescribed by our Holy Rules , and also to be present above Retreat not later than Wednesday , the 5th of July , in order to I. A certificate of the faithful celebration of the Nasses signed by In conclusion we appoint the 9th of July , 1893 , for the celebration of at the preliminary Sessions during the three days preceding the celebration or current bills , those already or to come in and remaining still unsettled 2 ) Loans of money held with interest ( if any ) . 3 ) The outstanding debts Father Rector or Superior , and the Father Vicar . up to the time of leaving office . Cross , Dublin . We request all the Capitular Fathers to assemble in the Given at St. Joseph's Retreat , Highgate , London . 3 . An Inventory of all the goods of the House made out under the various 2 . A certificate of the exact keeping of the " Archivium " signed by the of the Chapter . ( Signed ) Gregory of St. Josephy Provincial . This 30th Day of May , 1893 . 6 . --- Page 8 --- [ALTO file: no text lines]