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COMPENDIUM OF DECREES
OF
PROVINCIAL CHAPTERS

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Our Regulations order that a Compendium of the decrees of the Provincial Chapters be prepared and be read publicly at least four times each year.
In consequence the following compendium has been made, which we certify to be conformable to the originals. The numbers appended to each decree denotes the Chapter which enacted it.
MALACHY OF THE VII DOLOURS,
Provincial.
st, Joseph's Retreat, London.
November 21. st 1923.

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IV.
Although the attendance at the Sunday Sermons supplies in some part for the weekly examens, the Chapter recommends the Rectors to see that this duty is discharged once or twice a month in Choir. If for valid reasons, the moral case cannot be held as frequently as is prescribed in the Regulations, it should at least be held in conformity with canon 591 of the Code. (22nd).
V.
The Religious are reminded that the weekly «Benedicite» which has to be asked according to our custom includes only those things which tradition has defined. If any of the Religious have need of anything further, they should apply for it in writing to the Rector. Thenceforth, if granted, it will be taken as included in the weekly permission (21st).
VI.
To prevent misunderstandings, it is hereby declared that the local Superiors are not bound to recognise any dispensation or temporal permission obtained from the Higher Superiors, unless it be produced in writing; and that such permissions are valid only while the said Higher Superiors remain in office. (22nd).
VII.
It is ordered to the Rectors to give instructions to their vicars, whose duty is to watch over and di-
I.
Rectors and Superiors are charged to see that the Priests should always make the prescribed half-hour's preparation before celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and that those who have permission to celebrate at the first half-hour of prayer should make the preparation before Prime and Tierce. Let them see also that the prescribed half-hour of thanksgiving be not omitted without necessity. (8th)
II.
At 16th Prov. Chapter the President charged the consciences of the Superiors that the Divine Office and other public prayers should be recited with becoming slowness, distinctness and devotion. It was recommended also that the reading in our Refectories should always be of an edifying nature (16th).
III.
The Chapter draws attention to the need of greater fidelity in keeping the Observance, especially the rule of silence, the attendance of the Religious at the Examens, the Friday Chapters, and the blessing before night prayers. The Chapter charges the Provincial to make diligent inquiry at the Visitation on these points (21st).

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rect the food supply, to take care that a warm pittance be supplied for the evening collation together with soup or some equivalent, and that the Friday collation shall be such as to supply in some measure for the absence of the pittance at dinner « salvo digiuno », which is in accordance with the Rule, Spirit and custom of our Congregation (9th).
VIII.
Superiors and Religious are reminded of the precepts of our Holy Rule regarding the great charity to be shown to the sick. The Chapter orders that in all our Retreats accommodation be provided for those who are dangerously ill, that these may be nursed with due care and comfort according to the rules of modern hygiene (20th)
IX.
The Ven. Chapter decrees that the occasional rest being a reward for good conduct and heavy labour cannot be looked upon by individual religious as a right. The granting of this rest and the determination of its place and duration is left to the Provincial, who will take into account the opinion of the Rector. The religious in every instance, before leaving the Retreat, must hand to the Rector his address and the key of his room (22nd).
X.
The Religious are strictly forbidden to stay in secular houses in the neighbourhood of our Retreats (17th).
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XI.
The Ven. Chapter reminds our Religious that when « in transitu » they are subject to the Superior of any house in which they may happen to stay (18th).
XII.
The Chapter is of opinion that generally speaking, it is advisable that the religious should not be left for a long time in the same Retreat. Our religious should not attach themselves so particularly to any one Retreat so as to consider it a grievance or hardship if they are appointed to another house at the discretion of the Provincial (23nd).
XIII.
The Superiors, Missioners and Confessors are earnestly exhorted to interest themselves in procuring suitable subjects for the Alumniate and Novitiate (21st).
XIV.
As the moral training of our young men is most important, and as the Directors contribute very much towards it, Rectors are requested not to employ them in external work that would interfere with the duties of their office. A three day's retreat is to be given to the Students at the end of the annual vacation (16th).
XV.
The Venerable Chapter decrees that after our young priests have completed their course of formal

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studies they should remain together to prepare for the Missions, and that no one of them be occupied in external duties until he has written his full course of Mission discourses to the satisfaction of the Provincial, and further that no one of them be afterwards sent on Missions unless his application and general conduct has been considered satisfactory (20th).
XVI.
Superiors of Missions are to see that the Rosary and the Instruction before the Sermon should not exceed half an hour; nor the whole service an hour and a half. Also the Chapter recommends that the course of Instructions given on Missions should embrace both the commandments and the Sacraments (18th).
XVII.
Missioners are reminded of their duty to teach the people to meditate on the Sacred Passion, and the Catechist should not content himself with the devout recitation of the ejaculations, but should also use them as means of giving a short practical sentiment on the Passion (20th).
XVIII.
The Ven. Chapter decrees that our Fathers henceforth cease to have anything to do with the sale of scapulars, or other articles of devotion and also books, (the Companion of the Mission excepted) on Missions and Retreats (11th).
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XIX.
The Chapter renews as it has the power to renew the penalty of suspension « latae sententiae » inflicted in the 10th Prov. Chapter on those Missioners who either going to, or returning from, as well as on Missions drink spirits before dinner declaring that by dinner is understood a meal taken after mid-day. Moreover the use of spirits on Missions after dinner is allowed only by permission of the Superior to be granted « toties quoties » (12th).
XX.
The Ven. Chapter having learned that permissions before dinner are too easily granted by Superiors of the Mission, declares that these dispensations are invalid unless for some grave reason (14th).
XXI.
The Ven. Chapter in renewing the decree of the 10th Prov. Chapter re spirits, ordains that the same penalty be extended to the case of those going out from the Retreat for charity sermons or supplies (15th).
XXII.
The Ven. Chapter draws attention to that point of our Holy Rule which ordains that Religious should return from Missions and Retreats « summo mane », and declares that this point of our holy Rule applies with equal force to those sent out for the purpose of preaching charity sermons, or to supply. (15th)

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XXIII.
The Father Vice Rector and the other Priests may, according to necessity, be employed in particular ministries for the spiritual advantage of the secular congregation; they cannot however be permanently charged with the entire direction, the responsability of which remains always with the local superior (1st).
XXIV.
The Religious, who are appointed to visit in the parishes or districts attached to our Houses, are reminded that they should visit the poor, the negligent, and the sick, and not show a preference for the better classes lest this important duty should degenerate into useless visits of pleasure or compliment. (8th)
XXV.
The Chapter reminds Directors of Confraternities that in their management they must act with entire dependence on the local Superiors as regards both spiritual and temporal matters (18th).
XXVI.
Let no Rector be at liberty to change existing buildings, to suppress established, or start new Confraternities, or alter the pre-existing order of Services in the Churches without the consent of the F. Provincial (8th).
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XXVII.
That at the Annual Visitation, and at the Provincial Chapters the Superiors be required to furnish an account of the spiritual condition of the congregations under our charge (20th).
XXVIII.
It is forbidden to print and publish writings or compositions of any kind, though short or in form of letter, whether by means of periodicals or in any other manner, without the written approbation of the V. Rev. Fr. Provincial pro tempore. The aforesaid prohibition extends to the printing of pictures. It will belong to Fr. Provincial to depute, whenever the matter requires it, two Religious to decide whether in the manuscript to be published there is anything to amend, or whether the manuscript can be printed at all (1st).
XXIX.
The Ven. Chapter bearing in mind the continual prayers of the Ven. Fr. Dominine, and of Fr. Ignatius Spencer for the conversion of England warmly exhorts all the Religious to have this great object constantly at heart (th).
XXX.
Lay Brothers are reminded of the rule which enjoins on them to present themselves once a month to the Rector for Conference (23rd).

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XXXI.
Rectors and local Superiors are warmly recommended to see that the Religious employed in the office of begging do not neglect during the time of their absence those exercises of piety which are inculcated by the Rules and Regulations, and particularly daily meditation for the space of an hour, and communion as often as possible. It is prescribed that during the quest the Religious shall write to the Superior every week, and that they shall not absent themselves longer than a month, except in some extraordinary case (1st).
XXXII,
Questing outside the dioceses in which our houses are situated is forbidden, unless the permisson of the Ordinary be obtained (20th).
XXXIII,
The Chapter renews and confirms the terms of the provision previously issued by the Most Rev. Fr. General forbidding our religious to speak at any public political meeting without the consent of Fr. Provincial. This prohibition is extended to public utterances in our own or other Churches. Should anyone offend against these prohibitions, he is to be reported by the local Superior to the Provincial, who should deal severely with offenders (22nd).