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Decrees of the first Provincial Chapter of the Anglo-Belgian Province of St Joseph held in Bereau of St Wilfrid, Chesalle, Staffordshire 1851.
1. With regard to the perishes attached to our Bereaus the Ven. Chapter decreed
(1) The Beater or Superior of each house are charged with the care and spiritual direction of the Secular Congregation attached to each respective Church.
(2) That in quality of Superiors of the offision, they alone are responsible to the respective ordinary and to the higher superiors for the apostolic direction.
(3) In the absence of the Beater or Provincial Superior the F. Vice Beater or Vice Superior or even another priest appointed by the Beater or higher Superior shall assume the said care till the return of the Beater complying with the orders and instructions left by the latter.
(4) The F. Vice Beater 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 instruction the responsibility of which remains always with the local superior.
2. (1) The Beater or local Superior will fix some day of the week on which men and women separately will be instructed on different days in the batechism by the Superior himself or by another priest appointed to the office.
(2) The instructions shall be given in the Church, Sacrificy or another fit place at a time suited to the circumstances of persons, care being taken to conclude the instruction the signal has been given for the end of Becceration.
(3) If any Protestant cannot assist at this common instruction another time shall be assigned him by the Superior or with his permission.
(4) If in any house what is prescribed in the preceding members 18 & 2 cannot be practised by reason of the distance, the Superior shall appoint a convict place where they who wish for instruction may assemble. In this case, however, the instruction shall terminate at such a time as will allow him who gives it to return at eight in the evening.
(5) In case women require instruction privately, the superior is recommended to interest them to the school mistress or other fit person of the same sex before however must

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(3) If any Protestant cannot assist at this common instruction another time shall be assigned him by the Superior & with his permission.
(4) If in any house what is prescribed in the preceding numbers 18 & 2 cannot be practised by reason of the distance, the Superior shall appoint a convient place where they who wish for instruction may assemble. In this case, however, the instruction shall terminate at such a time as will allow him who gives it to return at eight in the evening.
(5) In case women require instruction privately, the superior is recommended to instruct them to the school mistress or other fit person of the same sex. As often, however, as it is necessary to speak privately with women, let our Religious serupulously observe the reserve and gravity which Our Holy Rules (Chap. XV.) prescribe in this matter. If a

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If a certain degree of affiability and politeness is indispensable even in these cases, on the other hand monesy and gravity are virtues essential to a person considered to God, who ought to have more at heart the edifying than pleasing his nightwar. Let our Religious and particularly our offissionaries guard against the serious dangers to which they expose themselves, who presumptuously neglect the precautions which according to the teachings of the James are considered the only safeguard of the most delicate among the virtues. If these maxims are overlooked in practice it is the duty of the Superior to admonish the delinquent Religious seriously and frankly, sometimes even denying him permission to speak with women.
(6) This permission ought always hearted both at home and abroad according to the Soly Rules, in the place guided above.
(7) In appointing that in Executions are to be given in common in our Houses, the Ven. Chapter has in view the limitings as much as possible rests made to Seculars whether by Superiors or other Religious. Wherefore it is declared that in case of sekiness or long omission in receiving the Servaments or other cases of necessity, our Religious including the Superior must abtain from visiting Seculars regularly and by system. The consequence of Superiors is charged with the religious observance of this point so extremely important for maintaining the spirit of solitude. They are admonished not to grant any permission to be absent without reserve and without knowing the precise object for which the Religious goes abroad, requiring him more over to return home if possible in time for meditation at least for the Rosary. If anyone neglect to comply with these conditions and particularly the last he shall be admonished by the Superior and if necessary he shall be refused permission to go out.
(8) The Ven. Chapter deseres that as far as circumstances admit, the Superior would observe what is prescribed by the Soly Rule (Chap. XXXIII) regarding the appointment of a companion for him who goes out, and in conformity with what the Regulations inculcate it him give good example himself in this legal (7) The Superior can visit the school attached to the mission regularly once a week either

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work of recreating in smaller agricultural personnel regions.(8) The Vin. Chapter describes that as far as circumstances admit, the Superior would observe what is prescribed by the Holy Rule (Chap. XXXIII) regarding the appointment of a companion for him who goes out; and in conformity with what the Regulations inculcate let him give good example himself in this lesson.(9) The Superior can visit the school attached to the mission regularly once a week either himself or by means of another, to examine the children in the Catechism and to secure good order in every thing.

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3) In all the Houses of England they shall observe the time vable approved by the present Chaper for all the Sundays and Fares of the year.
(2) If in any house by reason of the peculiar circumstances, it is necessary to alter the time established in the said time table the Provincial supprotation must be obtained for this end.
(3) During fent in all our Churches in England there shall be the exercise of the "Via Bracis" every Friday at seven O'block in the evening. The Rector or the Superior of the House may with the consent of the Provincial establish the same exercise even on the Fridays of the year.
(4) In like manner with consent of Mr. Provincial he can appoint on the evenings of Sundays and Holydays of obligations that, when Benediction is given in the evening before it, the Rosary be received and a controversial or different Permon be delivered; care however being taken that the whole function terminate before the Hour of going to Rosary.
(5) In both the cases described in numbers 384 the Superior shall be withhelpful that during the time of Service none of the Religious be absent from the exercises that are practised at the same time by the Community except those who are destined to officiate. All the Religious, however, might to assist at the Benediction.
6) The Religious who hasto breach may be dispensed from the observance immediately preceding the sermon, when it is necessary to prepare himself for his office.
(7) Exactness in beginning all the services at the appointed time precisely is strongly recommended for this end, the superior shall use vigilance in seeing that the clock which regulates the observance of the Community agree with the time followed by the secular congregation.
4. (1) Our Religious shall use the Religious Habit in its integrity as it is described in the Holy Prole (Chap. V) in our Retreats and in the neighbourhoods.
(2) Whenever by reason of the circumstances of the weather and roads, or for other causes, it is necessary to use shoes and stockings, let this always be done with dependance for the judgement and approtation of the beal superior.

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for us office.
(7). Exactness in beginning all the services at the appointed time precisely is strongly recommended for this end, the superior shall use vigilance in seeing that the clock which regulates the observance of the Community agree with the time followed by the secular Congregation.
4. (1) The Religious shall use the Religious Habit in its integrity as it is described in the Holy Rule (Chap. V) in our Retreats and in the neighbourhood.
(2). Whenever by reason of the circumstances of the weather and roads, or for other causes, it is necessary to use shoes and stockings, let this always be done with dependance on the judgement and approbation of the local superior, who must be asked "toties of workers"
(3) "In the towns and other places thickly populated and wherever the appearing

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in a religious habit would entire derive on and in such our Religious are counselled to use instead the dress on commercially used by secular priests.
(4) These dresses shall be in general of the simplest and most becoming shape. The coat shall have a collar like that of the cassetes of secular priests and should reach three inches below the knee. The 7: Rest of well procure a far as possible that the dresses actually cut out in another form be a better according to what is here prescribed. The Brim of the hat shall be 2½ inches sat least in width.
(5) The apressaid dresses shall be kept in the common tailor's shop, or in another place or room to be appointed to that end, the care of it being entrusted to one of the lay brothers, deputed by the Superior. For greater convenience they may be distributed in different Stalls or distinct partitions marked with numbers so that the clothes used by one religious may be in the same stall and under one number distinct from the others.
(6) It is forbiddent keep in the cells handkerchiefs, collars or any other part of clothing for private use. When any of these articles is oppreded as a gift to one of our Religious he must give same up to the Superior who will consign it to the care of the appointed Lay Brother.
(7) It is permitted to use gloves in winter. They shall be of wool or cotton of a dark colour becoming a religious.
(8) The handkerchief tied round the neck in winter shall be of a white and black colour either woolen or cotton.
(9) The great coat shall have one breast only and may if expedient be supplied by a becoming celesiastical cloak.
5. (1) Every Religious in passing from the Community of one Brewer to another must have with him the following articles of clothing: 1. Two religious habits. 2. One religious cloak. 3. One change of the under religious dress.
4. A shirt. 5. A pair of stockings. 6. A pair of shoes. 7. Two pairs of sandals. 8. A Religious hat. 9. A suit of blerical or ward clothing. 10. A secular hat. (2) Each of the above articles in good order.
(3) Jamy of the apressaid articles cannot be supplied at the departure of the

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(9) The great coat shall have one breast only and may if expedient be supplied by a becoming celesiastical cloak.
5. (1) Every Religious in passing from the Community of One Retreat to another must have with him the following articles of clothing: 1. Two religious habits. 2. One religious cloak. 3. One change of the under religious dress. 4. A shirt. 5. A pair of stockings. 6. A pair of shoes. 7. Two pairs of sandals. 8. A Religious hat. 9. A suit of clerical outward clothing. 10. A secular hat.
(2) Each of the above articles in good order.
(3) Jamy of the apressaid articles cannot be supplied at the departure of the Religious, the Superior of the Retreat from which the Religious is removed must pay the Superior of the Retreat to which the Religious is directed the pair of the

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Diseases of the first Provincial Chapter of the Anglo-Belgian Province held in 1851 continued.
£
s
d
For a religious habit
1.
40.
0
... black
1.
2
0
... pair of sandals
6.
0
... Religious hat
5.
0
... Flannel shirt
3.
6
... Drawers
2.
4
... Berreta
2.
6
... Berretino.
1.
6
... Secular coat
2.
4
0
... Triusers
1.
4
0
... Waistcoat.
14.
0
... Pair of stockings
1.
0
... shoes
13.
0
... Secular shirt
3.
6
... hat.
10.
0.
(4) In no case, even of a short stay of the religious in the retreat from which he departs can the superior enempt himself from the observance of the two preceding numbers
(5) It is the duty of the religious to make known in time and humbly ask of the superior those things which he wants at the time of departure.
(6) The guests usually made in the course of the year for the surveignance of the religious shall be made within the limits of the Diseases assigned for each of our houses in England according to the following distribution.
① For the house of London — Diseases of Westminster and Southwark
② ... Aston — Bermingham and Shrewsbury
③ ... Broadway — Clifton, Newport and Cyniwia
N. B. Harley, Upton and Calvern belong to Broadway.
④ For the house of Liverpool — Diseases of Liverpool Salebord and Kelberg

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1851 continued.
article according to the rate of the following list:-£$dFor a religious habit1.10.0 cleark1.2.0 pair of sandals6.0 Religious hat.5.0 Flannel shirt3.6. Drawers2.4. Berreta2.6. Berretino.1.6. Secular coat2.4.0 Transert1.4.0 Waistcoat.14.0 Pair of stockings1.0 shoes13.0 Secular shirt3.6. hat.10.0.
(4) In no case, even of a short stay of the religious in the retreat from which he departs can the Superior enempt himself from the observance of the two preceding numbers
(5) Is it the duty of the religious to make known in time and humbly ask of the Superior those things which he wants at the time of departure.
(6) The quests usually made in the course of the year for the sustenance of the religious shall be made within the limits of the Dioceses assigned for each of our houses in England according to the following distribution.
1) For the house of London — Dioceses of Westminster and Southwark2) Aston — Bermingham and Threwsbury3) Broadway — Clifton, Newport and Cyniwia
N. B. Hanley, Upton and Galvern belong to Broadway.
(4) For the house of Liverpool — Dioceses of Liverpool, Salford and Lekham
(5) St. Wilfrid's — Wittingham, Beverley and Northampton
N. B. Leigh, Chesadle, Atton Pakamore, Atton etc belong to St. Wilfrid's.

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(2) The Un. Chapter warthily recommends Rectors and local superiors to see that the Religious occupied in the Office of begging to not neglect during the time of their absence those energies of piety which are inculcated by the holy Rules and Regulations and particularly daily mediation for the space of an hour and communion as far as possible twice a week.
(3) It is prescribed that during the quest the Religious shall write to the superior every week and that they shall not absent themselves for longer than a month except in some extraordinary case.
(4) Each house of this Anglo-Belgian Province shall contribute annually the quota of £2. 10 for England and 50 francs for the houses of Belgium with the expressivest of supplying of the expenses of the journeys to be made by the Fr. Provincal and his Consultors on occasion of the General Chapter.
(2) The said quota of £2. 10 for England and 50 francs for Belgium shall be remitted to the Fr. Vice-Rector of the said Provincal's house of residence by every Rector or local Superior in the first week of the Advent of every year, beginning with the Advent of the current year 1851.
(3) The said Fr. Vice-Rector pro tempore shall keep an account of the sums remitted to him, delivering up the total into the hands of the Fr. Provincal every year in the third week of Advent beginning with the Advent of this year 1851. This consignment must be accompanied with a statement in which mention is made of the houses that have remitted this quota.
(4) The Un. Chapter suggests to the Fr. Provincal pro tempore to assign to his omnimediate successor at the time of the Provincal Chapter together with the sum realized a detail of the quotas received and owing during the triennium of his government.
(5) Every Rector or Superior has by him or another religious deputed by him the care of the portable alarms belonging to the house and this in force of the Regulations in vigor. Whenfore it is prohibited every other religious (owing the encephrons expressed in the place quoted) to carry alarm clocks about his person whilst he is in the retreat. Common watches are provisionally included in this prohibition

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(2) The Un. Chapter wartimly recommends Rectors and local superiors to see that the Religious occupied in the office of begging to not neglect during the time of their absence those enercies of pity which are inculcated by the holy Rules and Regulations and particularly daily mediation for the space of an hour and communion as far as possible turns a week.
(3) It is prescribed that during the quest the Religious shall write to the superior every week and that they shall not absent themselves for longer than a month except in some extraordinary case.
(4) Each house of this Anglo-Belgian Province shall contribute annually the quota of £2. 10 for England and 50 francs for the houses of Belgium with the expression of supplying of the expenses of the journeys to be made by the Fr. Provincal and his Consultors on occasion of the General Chapter.
(2) The said quota of £2. 10 for England and 50 francs for Belgium shall be remitted to the Fr. Vice-Rector of the said Provincal's house of residence by every Rector or local Superior in the first week of the Advent of every year, beginning with the Advent of the current year 1851.
(3) The said Fr. Vice-Rector pro tempore shall keep an account of the sums remitted to him, delivering up the total into the hands of the Fr. Provincal every year in the third week of Advent beginning with the Advent of this year 1851. This consignment must be accompanied with a statement in which mention is made of the houses that have remitted this quota.
(4) The Un. Chapter suggests to the Fr. Provincal pro tempore to assign to his or immediate successor at the time of the Provincal Chapter together with the sum realized advail of the quotas received and owing during the triennium of his government.
(5) Every Rector or Superior has by him or another religious departed by him the care of the portable alarms belonging to the house and this in force of the Regulations in vigor. Wherefore it is prohibited every other religious (owing the enceptions expressed in the place quoted) to carry alarm clocks about his person whilst he is in the retreat. Common watches are provisionally included in this prohibition.
(2) The Superior having the principal surveillance over the functions of the Church may when necessary be excepted from the foregoing restriction.
(8) The watches now in use shall be exchanged for alarm watches as soon as possible

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(c) The Superior can grant the use of the alarm watches to those Religious who go out if there is need. On returning to the rest of the religious should restore to the Superior or to him who has the precarious custody of it
(5) In every Retreat the number of alarm watches shall not exceed the number of three or at least four.
(6) No religious including the local Superior can in any case carry away with him an alarm watch belonging to the Retreat he quits without an especial authorization of the H. Provincial.
9. That the sum of ten pounds enough quivalent to about two pounds sterling or fifty francs determined by the Soly Rule in the Chapter either for the permission of the Higher Superiors in expenses exceeding the said sum, is for the effect augmented to £8 sterling for the houses of England and wo francs for that of Belgium.
10. With regard to the morning breakfast the Ven. Chapter decrees that for reasons peculiar to these parts and especially by reason of the Climate and Parochial Duties, which have in addition to the observance be be performed by our Religious on Sundays it is necessary on such days to allow them a breakfast in the morning.
11. To prevent the above from becoming a custom the Ven. Chapter decrees:-
(1) On Sundays throughout the year the Rectors or Superiors can grant breakfast to the Religious who ask for it.
(2) At these breakfast it is forbidden to use flesh meat, eggs or fish. The Religious are recommended to avoid all singularity, contending themselves as far as possible with what is passed around for all the community.
(3) In the said breakfasts, as also in the collation permitted on the mornings of other days it is prescribed that coffee, tea or cocoa be placed on the table in addition to milk, the placing milk alone being blamed. With regard to the quantity, in case of the collation usually granted in the morning let the religious limit themselves to one cup full and in case of breakfast let them not exceed two cup fulls of what are commonly called breakfast cups
12. Two or three Religious at the choice of the Ven. Ch. Provincial shall be charged

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(3) In the said breakfasts, as also in the collation permitted on the morning of other days it is prescribed that coffee, tea or cocoa be placed on the table in addition to milk, the placing milk alone being blamed. With regard to the quantity, in case of the collation usually granted in the morning let the religious limit themselves to one cupful and in case of breakfast let them not exceed two cupfuls of what are commonly called breakfast cups
12.4.7 was of three Religious at the choice of the Very Rev. H. Provincial shall be charged with submitting to the judgement of the Very Rev. H. General a method of studies for the use of this Anglo-Belgian Provence.

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(2) The said method shall be divided into four courses, ① Philology and Belles lettres② Philosophy and arithmetics③ Polemic, Dogmatic and aforal Theology @ Sacred Eloquence.(3) This method must also contain directions for the enaminations on the matters studied in each course to which they will serve as appendices(4) Before being sent to Rome the said method shall have to be submitted to the consideration of the Very Rev. Fr. Provincal and his consultors.13. The Ven. Chapter decrees that in conformity with universal practice two candles shall be lighted in each Retreat at the recital of the Rosary and thus in every season of the year.14. (1) It is forbidden to print and publish writings or compositions of any kind, though short and in form of letter, whether by means of Periodicals or in any other manner without the written approbation of the Very Rev. Fr. Provincal pre tempore.(2) The apressad prohibition extends to the printing of pictures.(3) It will belong to the Fr. Provincal 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.15. (1) It having been determined according to the proposal of the Very Rev. Fr. President that the numbers of reviews for the said object be four, two for the writing in English and two for those in French.16. In all the houses of the Anglo Belgian Province on the 27th August of asso shall be sung and the entire office recited for the repose of the deceased Fr. Dominic of the of other of God, and this every year until the celebration of the Future Provincal Chapter.17. To provide for the observance of the decrees issued in the present Chapter the Ven Chapter decrees, (1) The Capitular Secretary is charged with forming an extract of the decrees issued from the present Chapter, compiling according to the order of matter in distinct paragraphs whatever in the said decrees has the force of law.(2) This compilation shall be made after the Apost Rev. Fr. Gene

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16. In all the houses of the Anglo Belgian Province on the 27th August Mass shall be rung and the entire Office recited for the Repose of the deceased Fr. Dominic of the Mother of God; and this every year until the celebration of the Future Provincial Chapter.
17. To provide for the observance of the decences issued in the present Chapter the Ven Chapter decrees, (1) The Capitular Secretary is charged with forming an extract of the decrees issued from the present Chapter, compiling according to the order of matter in distinct paragraphs whatever in the said decrees has the force of law.
(2) This compilation shall be made after the Apost Rev. Fr. General has given his sanction to each of the Decrees, and in conformity with the alterations, modification and additions which the same Fr. General shall be pleased to make.

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First Provincial Chaper of Aug 10-Balgam
Province continued.
Decree
17 contd. with the consent of his bouncil.
③ The Decrees thus compiled shall be submitted to the Revision of the Very Rev. Dr. Provincial who shall add his approval before other express be made for the use of each house.
④ This Compendium shall be read three times a year immediately after the Common Regulations.

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CALL NO
ITEM NO
1851-09-02
002
YEAR, MONTH, DAY
CLASS •
NUMBER •
321
ENTRY DATE
SERIAL
1973.05-14
82
ARCHIVES
MOUNT ARGUS, DUBLIN, 6.