Provincial Chapter 1947 — Convocatory Letter

--- Page 1 --- To the Very Rev. Fathers Consultors . Rectors . Master of Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ . will begin on the following day , the 6th June . Peace and Health in the Lord . Novices and to all the Priests , Students and Lay-Brothe the Religious an opportunity of expressing to him as the successor of ron our Chapter owing to official duties , informs us that Very Rev. General , we have now to announce to you the Convocation of the our Father and Lawgiver , St. Paul of the Cross , their sentiments of The Capitular Fathers are requested to be at St. Paul's Retreat , Having obtained the requisite permission from Most Rev. Father- General of the Congregation would have given to the deliberations of as to be present at the opening Session and prescribed Tridium , which of the said Province of the Congregation of the Most Ho month of April , Most Rev. Father General , while regretting his absence Seventh Chapter of our Province , which will open on Friday within the the Capitular Fathers , his visit to our Province would have afforded respect and obedience . In a letter received on the 14th day of this Ootave of the Feast of Corpus Christi , the 6th day of June next . It is with regret that we have to announce the absence of most Mount Argus , Dublin , not later than the evening of the 5th June , soon from the authority and prestige which his exalted position as Superiorio Rev. Father General from our Seventh Provincial Chapter . Apart 6/1/7/1 . --- Page 2 --- the standard - both in numbers and efficiency - of former years . of the Passionist life might be preserved , are already known to you mentioned General Chapter , we in the Province of St. Patrick , though given to us by our Father and Founder , have , nevertheless , much for chapter . During our recent Visitation of this Province , we have the Providence of God is clearly to be seen . The external work of the var which everywhere ravaged nations and peoples , many grave and , the present time and the means which the Holy See wishes us to make which we feel grateful to Almighty God . In the steady progress - both from the promulgation of the Acts and Deorees of the same General in some things have been infaithful in guarding the sacred deposit held in Rome during the month of September of last year , deserves serious problems affecting our Congregation should confront the ministry continues to increase . Our Missions and Retreats are up to so far as they concern us , and the means adopted that the true spirit spiritual - which today exist in the world as a result of the fearful but natural that considering the sad effects - both social and explained some of these dangers which threaten our Congregation at special notice . Heeting after an interval of eight years , it was Fathers assembled in General Chapter . The nature of these evils in Notwithstanding the grave problems which affect the entire use of in order to observe more perfectly the rule of St. Paul of spiritual and material - of our Province during the past three years , they affect the Province of St. Patrick , the recent General chapter Congregation as can be seen from the Acts and Decrees of the above preside at the elections . In reviewing the events of the past three years in as far as the cross . Father Malcolm , First Consultor General , will act as his delegate and --- Page 3 --- St. Michael's , Denkeith , Kilmarnock , Avr. has not with have desired . This was caused not by reason of the fewness of now to a great extent been overcome by the establishing of a province - Priests , Students and Lay-Brothers - for the confidence and in charge of Conframities and Sodalities we cannot express the zeal and enthusiasm which our Fathers are manifesting in work the future development of our Province , the Apostolic work of spiritual success of their Labours , give us an assurance that in they have shown in looking after the spiritual needs of our people . duties imposed on them by their Superiors . The increase in numbers of Professed Religious since the last conducting Missions and Retreats will continue to have first place . dedience which they have shown at all times in carrying out those in our external ministry . For the Fathers engaged in Parish work which they have placed in us during our term of office and for the they have had a true Passionist vacation . A further reason was the We take this opportunity also , of thanking all the Religious of the limited accommodation of the Province . This latter difficulty has approval by our Religious . The property , which include spacious annical foundation in the Diocese of Gelloway . The new Retreat of sufficiently our appreciation for the self sacrificing spirit which of this kind and the splendid reports which we have received of the mildings capable of accommodating over forty Religious and extensive applications for admission into the Congregation , but by the necessity Provincial Chapter , though considerable , has not been what we would of carefully examining the candidates who offered themselves to see if --- Page 4 --- grounds has much to recommend it as a Retreat house and missionary of the true Passionist spirit . In the near future when the full of this Province will have granted officially to them by the Sacred Father General , four fathers of St. Patrick's Province are now well-being of an Order and the spiritual and temporal happiness of centre . It is moreover established in the solitude desired by our chapters . At the request of the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation Capitular fathers as can be seen from the Acts of former Provincial engaged in missionary work in the Prefecture of Dodoma , Tanganyika , It has given us great satisfaction that during our Provincialate The holding of a Provincial chapter is an event which deeply an opportunity was afforded us of carrying out the wishes of the good work of the Foreign Missions so happily being done at present our gratitude to the Fathers who , with a generosity and ' zeal truly in that country and with the increase of Apostolic labourers , the Holy Rule and thus offers a special opportunity for the cultivating in his Diocese , the Passionists are deeply indebted . Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith , a definite territory for the Propagation of the faith and with the consent of Most Rev. chosen those who , under God , are destined for three years to govern religious observance is established , we have every confidence that the Province and the various Retreats of which it is composed . The it will become a source of great spiritual activity . To the Lord ; concerns us all , whether we be Superiors or Subjects . In it are K. Africa . It is to be hoped that within a short time the Religious will increase and multiply . We take this opportunity of expressing divine , are already engaged in missionary work in B. Africa . Bishop of Galloway who invited us to establish a canonical foundation 34th --- Page 5 --- the general law . Hence while zealously guarding the true Passionist maintain a healthy and vigorous existence must seek to adopt itself may in all their deliberations , act widely , and in their choice of the conditions both social and spiritual in the world at the present superiors , select prudent and holy men the help and guidance of Almighty God will be needed . The work of this chapter , therefore , Superiors since " the soundness of the members largely depends on the Religious depends in great measure on the character of the sent and spiritual activity of this Province - a matter of serious without Divine blessing will be fruitless : " unless the Lord build . he house , they labour in vain that build it " ( Ps.128 , - ) . That but also the greater perfection of the entire Congregation " . In this Chapter , also , many problems - though peculiar to the tinself : Mask and it shall be given to you seek and you shall find : It is evident , then , that a work of this kind on which depends depends not only the right and prudent government of the Hetreats , annot succeed without Divine assistance . That the Capitular Fathers the head " , and " on the right and prudent conduct of the Factors to its environment : our Congregation , therefore , is not exempt from time - may tend to the advancement and prosperity of the Province . aid will be given to us we have the infallible promise of Christ consideration . It has been rightly said that an organism if it is to entire Congregation - will be - in so far as they affect the develop- spirit and endeavouring to keep with fidelity and exactitude our Rules and Constitutions , the coming Chapter will give to the Capitula the good of the Province and the peace and happiness of the Religious , Fathers an opportunity of introducing those measures which - considering --- Page 6 --- holy Petrons , St. Michael , St. Joseph , St. Patrick , St. Paul of which will be offered during the next few weeks asking God's mother Veni Director with Versicle and prayer and the Library of the Blessed knock and it shall be opened to you " Luke XL. 9 . Hence the prayers Passionist Saints , will undoubtedly obtain for us grace and enlighten- Furthermore from Pentecost Sunday until the 11th day of June , the evening meditation five Peters , Ames and Clorias in honour of our this Convocatory letter , the Feast of the Solemnity of St. Joseph , of May , the Religious shall recite daily , in common , during the cross and St. Gabriel with their respective Antiphons and Prayers . to intercede for us , invoking our Father and Founder together with addition to the above prayers . The Tridum ordered by our Holy Rule St. Joseph our Patron , St. Michael our Protector and all the Virgin with the Antiphon and prayer " Concede " shall be recited in the 23rd day of April , until the Feast of Pentecost , the 25th day the welfare of the Province , the good of the Congregation and the of June 6th . During the Tridum and also on the morning of the ment through the Holy Ghost , to enable us to do what will be best for in the manner prescribed in our Ritual shall begin on the evening We remind the Rectors to bring with them the " Littereo Patentes " by all the Priests , except the Rector or Superior . and seals of office together with the following documents : for this purpose , therefore , we obtain that from the reading of Holy Communications for the same intentions . glory of God . election of Superiors , the Clerics and lay-Brothers shall offer their by the Rector or Superior and Vicar . 2 . Certificate of the faithful celebration of leases signed 1 . Certificates of the exact keeping of the Archives signed the other --- Page 7 --- income , signed by Rector or Superior and Vicar . chapter , noting any extraordinary expenditure and monies borrowed at interest , and percentage payable ; last Provincial Chapter . Gerald of the sacred heart of Jesus . and vicar . day of April , 1947 . the income and expenditure since the last Provincial the Mother of Sorrows to impart to you His choices' graces . provincial . monies borrowed without interest ; all outstanding de Given at St. Paul's Retreat , Mount Argus , Dublin , the 19th Asking the Divine Heart of Jesus through the intercession of etc. tioning the amount due to each creditor ; and finally I. A faithful statement of the debts of the Retreat , shoving re amount of the balance in hand or in the bank at ti id those current to date , including rent , taxes etc. A correct Financial Statement of the Retreat : - namely A record of Chapters and Examens held in Choir since the time of leaving office , signed by the Rector or Superior Examens held in Choir since the inventory of the Retreat , Church , Sacristy , Furniture 3 . to 6 . A record of Chapters and any 6 .