Anglo-Hibernian (St. Joseph's Province) 14th (1896) Provincial Chapter Convocatory Letter

--- Page 1 --- object of our Provincial Chapter . Dublin . To every Religious of Our Province this is an event in which we are all intimately relieve , " Acts xu. , 7 . At that memorable meeting the Apostles drew up that The wise provision of Our Holy Rule in bringing together the Superiors of each but as a consequence of my life and energy will be infused into our daily lives , abuses of Elders of the Church came together , and , having given the matter due consideration , choice amongst us that the Gentiles , by my mouth , should hear the word of the Gospel and Provincial Chapter of Our Province , to be held in the Retreat of St. Paul of the re call the Apostles Creed . They discussed matters of discipline , each giving his own to time to renew the spirit of their Founder and see if the work which he was raised up by any kind which may exist amongst us will be abolished , and all strengthened in their concerned , as from this triennial gathering of the Superiors of the Province will result not opinion freely , and when a conclusion was arrived at , all acted in concert . In every Mary of Jesus , has appointed the 30th June as the date for the opening of the 14th to do in the Church was being carried out in its primitive observance by his children . This ever doctrine was assailed , or strange and novel customs were introduced , the Doctors and outset of her existence the Apostles assembled in Jerusalem under the presidency of SL. Peter , overment . It is what the Church has been doing from the very beginning . At the very love for discipline and regular observance . This , in a few words , is the meaning and who addressing them , spoke thus ! " Men , brethren , you know that in former days God made rely the good government of each house in the Province during the coming three years , ing age of the Church's history we find the same method has been adopted . When- those amongst us whose lives have been remarkable for prudence , charity , ce in the congregation at stated times is in accordance with ancient discipline in Church It is our privilege to make known to you that Our Most Rev. Fr. General , Bernard mined what was the faith of the Church and what her primitive disciples Religious Order has wisely adopted the same method and assembled from time cations by those amongst us whose lives have been remarkable for To the Very Rev. Fathers , Consultors , Rectors , Superiors , Master of Norices , Rev. Fathers , Students and Brothers , Health and Benediction in the Lord . 14 713/15/1 713/5/1 Probincial of the Province of St. Joseph . Gregory of St. Joseph , Joseph . --- Page 2 --- to secular priests . The necessity of the time demands this , and , for some , it is quite each Capitular Father at our Provincial meeting to make it known , and it will be the go before their brethren and encourage them to keep alive in their souls the spirit of St. Paul owing to the circumstances we find ourselves placed in by reason of so much external work life , and imbued with sincere love and attachment to the Congregation and Our Province . fattering accounts which reached us of our Missiacs and Retreats there , and the unt imperative duty of the Chapter to take the necessity steps to put an end to such abuses by recent visitation in Australia , we were gratified more than we can express to hear the Penance , mortification , the spirit of poverty-these distinguishing marks of a Passionist Religious . By mixing in secular society a Religious impeccably acquires a spirit of world- ment and the spirit of recollection and prayer are often , alas ! too often , extinguished in the This young off-shoot , however , still requires tender care and culture , and our brethren in that labours of the Fathers for the salvation of souls . It was , however , still more consoling a young and fervent body of Australian Passiquists , well trained and disciplined to the religious us , any abuse or custom foreign to our spirit has crept in amongst us , it will be the liness and becomes influenced by the maxims and principles of the world . Love for retire- Religious are called on to take so large a share in the external work of the ministry peculiar Superiors of the Province should be men of discipline and lovers of regular observance , and to be proud of the great and good work done by the Fathers sent on that foundation . At our to keep the full observance , but this circumstance renders it all the more necessary that the sound of the religious man , when he is too frequently absent from regular observance . sumificantly . " If then , owing to the active , We , the circumstances of the time demands Religious are often forgotten and set aside when we mix over much with the world . You devolving on us as Missionaries of the Congregation , and being charged with the care of intimate ties , there is a flourishing colony of our brethren in the fur-off land of Australia Our Province occupies an exceptional position in the Congregation owing to the fact that our tain discipline and keep up the regular observance in its primitive fervour in Our Province . distant land need our sympathy and encouragement . They require , too , additional help from though it be for a praiseworthy and laudable purpose , is dangerous and has its perils It requires very little experience to be convinced that contact with the world , even framing such decrees and regulations as may seem good to them . souls by the Bishops in whose dioceses our houses are situated . Besides the home Province you are aware that , connected with it by the most All this , and good deal more in connection with the Australian foundations , will be sub- The principal and all-important work of the Chapter , however , will be to select Novices , educating Students and conducting Missions and Retreats . mitted to the venerable Chapter for consideration . e home Province , for with their existing numbers they are unequal to the task of training God has blessed , in a wonderful manner , this young foundations and the Province has re iors for the coming three years , who will , by their example more than by words , nors remember the often-repeated saying at Our Holy Founder : " Qui writes perhaps en-repeated saying of Our Holy Founder : " Qui multifator pero --- Page 3 --- the Cross . The coming Chapter will , therefore , be a time of great anxiety for those on high , at this time , for the success of the Chander . we describe that , from the than will develop so much serious work . They will need special help from on High une the Veni Creator and prayer ; the Litany of the Blessed Virgin with prayer Canada , three his letter there be recited in common , previous to the afternoon meditation , until the 26th of pening of the Chapter , all the Students , Lay Brothers , and Novices shall receive Holy Paris ; Holy Cross , Belfast ; and St. Mungo's , Glasgow , will enjoy the to the time of giving up office , mentioning the amount due to each creditor . o enable them to discharge their responsible duties in a manner calculated to contribute to etitions which every Religious of Our Province will send up before the throne of the Most of prayer , previous to the opening of the Chapter . of the Cross not later than the evening of the 26th June , to take part in the solemn Communion . ' We remind the Fr. Rectors to bring with them their Littere Pat the Administration book , and signed by Rector and Vice-Rector . We , moreover order that an exact copy of statements IV and V be inserted in time the amount of money in Bank or House . Carmarthen , to come to the Chapter . By a rescript obtained by the Most Rev. Fr. General , the Superiors of St. heir respective antiphons and prayers . During the triduum , as well as on the In conclusion we began to remind the Capidular Fathers to be at the Retreat of St. May 21st , 1896 . Paters , Aves and Gleries in honour of St. Michael , St. Joseph , and their respective houses , let them be addressed to the President of the Chapter , seals of office , and , likewise , the following : V. A faithful statement of the standing debts of the House and current bills due up at the Chapter . We are also instructed to state that it will not be necessary for the Superiors Gregans up the foreign life three years , signed by all the priests of the Community , except the Rector . Incommercial . Expenditure during the three years of Administration , and stating at the same Wishing you and the community every blessing . Given at St. Joseph's Retreat , Highgate , London , mentioned as necessary for the Chapter . If they have any observations to make regarding III . An inventory of all the goods of the House , Church , and Sacristy . II . Certificate of the exact keeping of the Archives , signed by the Rector and Vice- I. Certificate of the faithful celebration of the Masses celebrated during the past A correct financial statement of the Retreat giving an abstract of the Income and Rector . he glory of God and the honour of the congregation . In addition , then , to the fervent We beg , however , to remind them to forward to the Provincial the documents already of St. Michael's , Wareham ; of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart , Herne Bay Paters , Aves and Gleries in honour of St. Michael , St. Joseph , and --- Page 4 --- [ALTO file: no text lines]