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7/3/25/1
CONVOCATORY LETTER
OF THE
TWENTY-FOURTH PROVINCIAL CHAPTER
OF THE PROVINCE OF ST. JOSEPH
FROM THE
VERY REV. FR. MALACHY OF THE 'VIIDOLOURS
PROVINCIAL.

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Malachy of the VII Dolours. Provincial of the Province of St. Joseph To the Very Rev. Father Consultors, Rectors, Master of Novices, and to all the Priests, Students and Lay Brothers of the said Province of the Congregation of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Peace and Blessing in the Lord.
Having obtained the requisite permission of the Most Rev. Father General, we have now to announce to you the convocation of the XXIV Provincial Chapter of our Province.
We appoint the 30th day of May next as the day of the opening of the Chapter, and St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, London, as the place for the holding of the said Chapter. It is necessary to summon the Chapter a few weeks earlier than is usual, in order to suit the convenience of the Fr. General, who at presidence personal inconvenience is doing us the honour of presiding at our Chapter.
In making a casual survey of the events of the last three years, we can all find much for which to be grateful to God. We have no doubt to regret a few defections from the Congregation, for which however we are in no way responsible, and we have to mourn the loss of some of our most excellent Religious. Among them Fr. Hilary of the Immaculate Conception who has left behind him such an edifying record of piety and zeal sustained to the end. They have now joined the Congregation of the Passionists in heaven.
In the progress of the Province during the last three years there is happily much cause for gratification. The ever increasing demand for our Fathers to conduct apostolic missions is in itself the surest proof that the missionaries have laboured with commendable prudence and zeal, mistheries created favourable impression which caused their ministry to be sought after. As a result we have found it difficult at times to satisfy all the requests for missions and retreats. I would like to take this opportunity to testify, that in no single instance during the last three years have I received an unsatisfactory report from our missions; but on the contrary I have frequently been gratified by the most flattering commendations of the work done by our Fathers on their missions and retreats. I think we may now justly claim with pardonable pride and gratitude that we are in the foremost rank as missioners in these countries, and everything points to the probability that with God's blessing we shall maintain that proud position.
If I emphasize the success of our missionary enterprise it is because we have long ambitioned and laboured for this distinction which is of course our peculiar vocation, but we would not thereby minimise the arduous if less noticeable labours of those in the parishes and hospitals and institutions connected with our houses who have done such admirable work for the salvation of our souls.
We have to rejoice that after long years of searching and many disappointments we have at last secured what is proving to be a most suitable house for an Alumniate at St. Patrick's Retreat, Belfast, where close upon 30 promising postulants are at present being prepared for Matriculation by our most capable and self-sacrificing professors.
Those who know the history of the foundation of St. Gabriel's Retreat will understand the joy with which we are able to announce the completion of a beautiful church without incuring any extra debt, and the solemn blessing and opening of this church at

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at which the Bishop of the Diocese is to preside on the 23rd May next. We are convinced that St. Gabriel who has always watched over his own Foundation has brought about this happy result.
And in our other Retreats also many important improvements have been made. Our Churches have been renovated, our houses have been made more comfortable, and all our temporal necessities have been abundantly supplied by the goodness of Providence.
Our indebtedness to outsiders is being steadily reduced and there need be no anxiety about our temporal welfare.
I shall not pretend that our lives as Passionist Religious are altogether perfect, but this I must say after many years of experience. By God's grace, our Province has stood up manfully against the spirit of materialism, the impatience of restraint, the revolt against authority, and the love of pleasure which seem of late years to have penetrated all classes and conditions of people. And in the condition of our Province at the present time, considering all the circumstances of our lives, there is much for which we have to thank God heartily and comparatively little which need cause us serious alarm or anxiety.
At the same time it would be presumption to pretend that we can dispense with viligance and fervour. The atmosphere in which we live is not favourable for the development of regularity and sanctity, and perhaps never was it more necessary that our Superiors should be men of piety, strength of character, and animated with a great love of and respect for all the venerable traditions of our Order. It is the purpose of the forthcoming Chapter to discover such men and to place in their keeping the destinies of the Province for another dependent upon the Superiors who are placed over our houses. This is not a mere pious sentiment, it is the clear deduction of common sense and is confirmed by invariable experience. Therefore as children who love the glory and prosperity of our Mother the Congregation let us all heartily join in the prayers which are hereby enjoined in order that the blessing of God may be on the deliberations of the Chapter, and the election of our Superiors.
We ordain that from the receipt of this letter until the 26th day of May (about ten days before the Triduum) the Religious shall receive during the time of meditation the following prayers: -- 4 Paters, Aves, and Glorias in honour of our most Holy Patrons, St. Michael, St. Joseph, St. Paul of the Cross and St. Gabriel with their respective antiphons and prayers. And furthermore from the 16th May until three days before the Chapter the 'Veni Creator' with the versicle and prayer 'Concede' shall be received in addition to the above prayers. On the days of the Triduum preceding the Chapter as well as on the day of the opening of the same, the Clerks and Lay Brothers shall offer their Holy Communions for the same intention.
We remind the Rectors to bring their "Litterae Patentes" and seals of office, together with the following documents:1. Certificate of the faithful celebration of Masses signed by all the priests of the house except the Rector or Superior.2. Certificate of the faithful keeping of the archives signed by the Rector or Superior and Vicar.3. Inventory of House and Church furniture.4. A correct financial statement of the Retreat - Viz. the income and expenditure since the last Chapter signed by the Rector and Vicar.

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5. A faithful statement of the debts of the Retreat showing the monies borrowed at interest and the percentage payable: monies borrowed without interest: all outstanding debts and current interest to date, including rents, taxes, and mentioning the amount due to each creditor, and finally the amount of the balance in hand or in bank at the time of leaving office signed by the Rector and Vicar.
The Capitular Fathers including the Master of Novices are required to be at St. Joseph's Retreat, London, not later than the evening of the 26th May, so as to be present at the Triduum and preliminary meetings.
Praying God to bestow on you His choicest Blessings.
I am your humble servant and brother in Christ.
Malachy of the Seven Dollars.
Provincial
Given at St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, London. 9th April 1926.
To be read publicly to be Religious assembled in Choir or Refectory.