Provincial Chapter 1938 — Convocatory Letter

--- Page 1 --- during the coming deliberations . Health and peace in the Lord . intention of Most Rev. Fr. General to provide in person at our be reciprocated by all our Brethren when I announce to you the chapter . His learning , his wisdom , and his sanctity qualify him the heart of the Province may well beat with perfect confidence Province , but for every individual member thereof . Blessed with next as the date of the opening of the Chapter , and St. Paul's such a personality as his to direct the affairs of our Chapter , Retreat , Mount Argus , Dublin as the place for the holding of the Third Provincial Chapter of our Province . We appoint June , ? " pre-eminently to direct the deliberations of an event of such General , we have now to announce to you the Convocation of the outstanding importance , not only for the welfare of our beloved chapter . Having obtained the requisite permission of the Most Rev. Fr. The feelings of joy and gratitude , which fill our heart , will the congregation of the Cross and Passion of Our I " 01 Use Cross and Passful or our own Jesus ( OLLBIS , 6/1/4/1 . --- Page 2 --- Justice and charity are the virtues most essential and most for the next three years , and we feel confident that these will highly esteemed in an affair that intimately concerns the well- charity , " the tree of life , " is firmly rooted in our province and - I Theos. IV.9 . And surely , this is what it should be with men " Concerning fraternal charity , there is no need for me to write being of so many souls and the good government of our Province and his Religious Brethren provides that intimate knowledge which manifested by our Religious , irrespective of position in the be the predominant standards followed under such a leader as the yet these are far outbalanced by the great consultations and many spreads its calm , peaceful , fruitleden branches over the six very kind to us . joys we have received during that time . God has , indeed , been In making a cursory review of the three years now drawing to Amongst the things that were a cause of joy and gratitude , Congregation . The very personal contact between the Provincial not the least were the consideration and charity everywhere that he will be with us . to you , for you yourselves have learned of God to love one another . feelings must be something akin to those of St. Paul when he said Therefore do I say , we rejoice to know Betreats thereof . So fully convinced an I of this that my press enables a fairly accurate judgment to be formed on the dispositions of the subjects ; and my considered judgment is that the virtue of a close , while we see things that disappointment and even cause sorro Most Rev. Fr. General . Most Rev. Mr. General . Therefore do I say , we rejoice to know 20 --- Page 3 --- who have made such sacrifice for God and whose motto is : " We present fine position in this field of our labour has not been of our Fatherey rather it is the fruit of zealous and United proof of the real and earnestness of our Missionaries . Our as St. Paul might put its " If I speak with the tongues of men Happily our country is not affected to any great extent by the the ground we now hold . I feel sure it will be the earnest endeavour of our Missionaries , not only to retain our proud efforts over many years , especially those years since the The continued success of our Missionary Labours too gives formation of our Province . This is much to the credit of our evident and merits the highest praise for those engaged therein . work done for our Confraternities and our other ministry for the sense , our sacrifice will be vain and our not to a deception ; or , and as a tinkling symbol . " - I Cor. xiii. I . reach Christ Crucified , " for without charity in its comprehensive Missionary spirit , and is an evident proof that we have fairly won and of angels and have not charity . I am become as sounding brass materialism , indifferentism , and religious unrest , so widespread in position in this respect , but to make even further advance in the other lands , but at the same time , even here , we cannot afford to acquired by any sudden impulse , nor by the efforts of any small number our Fathers to conduct Apostolic Missions is in itself the surest salvation of souls . The abundant fruit of this work is everywhere very great reason for gratitude . The ever increasing demand for great cause which gives us existence . ' Nor are we mindful of the 30 --- Page 4 --- relax any of our proper activities in the cause of our Holy something far beyond our greatest expectations and our highest satisfactory progress towards Beatification and Canonisation ? the esteem of all and a high respect for the Congregation of and have God's blessing , is a cause of great happiness and dreams : yet though unworthy , it has pleased God to confer this The Cause of Father Charles has now reached a stage that gives those engaged in this work ; their seal , their charity , their the Cause of one of our Brethren in this Province is making he not distant future . The privilege of being associated , even of Confraternities , and the Fathers who preach and minister to the importance which has developed within the later years . " Who Neither will I pass in silence another event of outstanding mongst us will not be elated with gladness by the knowledge that prudence , whether in pulpit or Confessional , have earned for the very hope and assurance that his identification will take place in Religion . To combat the enemies of God and His Church , Our Holy people attending our churches . I could not speak too highly of Father , the Pope , urges a vigorous campaign of " Catholic Action . " a little way , with the process for Canonisation of a Saint , is rivilege on us all in this province . ' It would be difficult to by our Constitutions , is that held by our Missionaries , Directors consolation . the certain knowledge that our laboure are productive of much fruit , Our rightful position in this campaign , and the one fully recognized which they are members . And to one , even only remotely responsibility the certain knowledge that our labours are productive of much fruit , 40 --- Page 5 --- we have made , yet it is to be feared that there are sides of our In the first Chapter of our Holy Rule we are forcibly reminded of not to bring to your mind what you already know , but that we may While I will not suggest that there is any dangerous neglect our nidet will have on our Province , and even upon our country . over-estimate the elevating influence that a Saint Canonised in to grant such abundant fruit to our laboure , and at the same time earnestly , beseeching our Divine Lord and His Holy Mother , the greater zeal , the glorious work to which we have pledged our to encourage us to continue , even with renewed energy and still the Holy Rule , the means by which we are to secure our own all be conforted in the thought that it has pleased the good God what is expected of us . " The Religious of this poor and least I therefore take the opportunity to beg our Brethren to pray regular observance and fidelity to our vows . Queen of Ireland , to bless and expedite the labours of those our Province has accomplished , and the progress which , under God , I have narrated these things which cause gladness of heart , While we are proud , and justly so , of the united good which engaged in bringing the cause of the Ven. Father Charles to a Passionist and Religious life that are not developed to their full . speedy and happy consumption . salvation are all brought before us . Principally they are prayer Congregation ought first to provide for their own salvation in the hammer prescribed by these Constitutions . " And as we read through lives . --- Page 6 --- during the coming years ; the burden of debt is now fairly heavy , whole-hearted support of all our Brethren , and for a cause that and the direction of the Holy Spirit is needed . feared that many of us have still a long way to go before we when he says : " I chastise my body and bring it into subjection ; is maintained in the different Retreats throughout the Province I feel that there could be much more fervour and a greater The outstanding purpose of the chapter is to elect Superiors in this respect , on the contrary , I protest that we manually Fathers , and is one above all others in which the wisdom of God very grave charge and serious responsibility on the Capitular lest perhaps , when I preach to others , I myself should become a Our financial position too is bound to give some anxiety not be unmindful of the lesson the Apostle , St. Paul , teaches us reach the perfection of Community life and the personal holiness will naturally be an outstanding question for discussion during has the blessing of God . the coming chapter . oppose any tendencies to relaxation of our Passionist spirit , yet co-operation in the observance of our Holy Rule . It is to be required by our Holy Rule . Our Missionary seal , and in general , our other labours for the salvation of souls , are very meritorious who will govern the province for the next three years . This is a and deserve the highest commendation , but at the same time we must but we feel that this debt was incurred for a purpose that has the cast-every . " - I Cor. 1x.27 . The Regular observance and how 6 . --- Page 7 --- Experience teaches that the welfare of the Community and of of our Religious and the Congregation at heart . You will also and Holy Scripture says : " What manner of men the ruler of a city Holy Rule ; that they be men of prayer , of wisdom and of charity . Province corresponds to that outlined in the Holy Rule ; and cjto writers on the same subject outline certain qualifications for a greater degree and whose one purpose will be to govern , in their qualities he would have in our own Superiors . chapter , men are selected from among us who have them in the is , such are they who dwell therein . " - Koolus.x , 2 . Spiritual of prudence and wisdom who will fully weigh the evidence before the Province depends primarily on the qualities of the Superiors ; choose from among us superiors who will have the best interests to our interest and that of the Congregation that , at the coming who excels in punctual observance of Religious discipline , a man various capacities , according to the spirit and the letter of the Holy Founder , embodied in our Regulations , to discover the all the qualities outlined in the fullest degree , but it will be of the Province ; b ) to examine if the Religious Life of the You will bear in mind , therefore , my dear Brethren , that the for all without exception , a man who knows how to master himself , he gives the judgment . And we have but to read the letter of an outstanding purposes of the chapter are - a ) to consider the need There is no one amongst us who will presume that he possesses Religious Superior . ' They say that before all he needs to be a of prayer , detached from worldly affairs , of true paternal chairit --- Page 8 --- bear in mind that the atmosphere of the present time is not that from the receipt of this letter till the "000 " June , the prayer , the Library of the Blessed Virgin with the antigen and of our Holy Patrons , St. Michael , St. Joseph , St. Patrick , St. Religious shall recite during the time of the evening meditation every Religious of the Province will send to the Throne of the the Capitular Fathers be not left to human wisdom , but be for " unless the Lord build the house , the builders labour in and prayers . Furthermore from June . " ! till three days before things whatsoever you ask when you pray , believe that we shall the Chapter assembles , the " Vent Creator " with the versicle and favourable to the development of regularity and sanctity in the receive and they shall come unto you . " - Markoxi , 24 . If the following prayers - Five Paters , Avees , and Gloxias in honour We are all deeply interested in the success of the Chapter , effectively guided by the Spirit of God in their deliberations , therefore we pray with confidence we may be sure the blessing of vain . " - PS. CXXVigto . Religious life . It is therefore of the utmost importance that In addition to the fervent petitions which we feel sure and earth shall pass away , but my word shall not pass . " - Matth. God will rest on the Chapter . God's promise cannot fails " Heave Most High , at this time , for the success of the Chapter , we obtain Paul of the Cross , and St. Gabriel , with their respective antiphom so ought we all to pray fervently for this much desired end . " All XXIV. 35 . -8 --- Page 9 --- of the opening of the Chapter , the Clerke , Lay Brothers and by all the Priests of the House , except the Rector or The Tridium , ordered by our Holy Rule , shall be made in the the nonies borrowed at interest ; all outstanding debts , and their seals of Office , together with the following documentaries - required to be at St. Paul's Retreat , Mount Argus , Dublin not and expenditure since the last chapter , signed by the the amount due to each creditor ; and finally , the balance Novices shall offer their Commons for the same intentions . by the Rector or Superior , and the Vicar . take part in it and at the preliminary meetings . 5 ) A faithful statement of the debts of the Retreat , showing those current to date , including rents , taxes , and mentioning in hand , or in bank at the time of leaving office , signed 1 ) Certificate of the exact keeping of the Archives , signed We remind the Rectors to bring their " Littense Patentes " and by the Rector and Vicar . The Capitular Fathers , including the Master of Forces , are I ) An inventory of the Retreat , Church and Sacriety furniture , etc manner prescribed by our ritual , during which , as also on the day 2 ) Certificate of the faithful celebration of Masses , signed Rector and Vicar . later than the evening of the first day of the Pridum , so as to superior . 4 ) A correct financial statement of the Retreat , was the income prayer ' concede ' , shall be recited in addition to the above prayers , 9 . --- Page 10 --- '10 . Feast of Our Holy Founder , April 28th,1938 . Your humble servant and brother in Xto- exact date of the chapter ; as soon as he does so I shall notify you . Referatory . Adrian of the seven toolours ... P.S. Most Rev. Pr. General is not yet in a position to give the Given at St. Paul's Retreat , Dublin . provincial . I remains . Praying God to besnow on you all his choicest blessings , To be read publicly to the religious assembled in the Choir or the