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Dublin
1863
No. 9
no 20 -
7/3/43
Acts of the
Third Provincial Chapter
of the
Anglo-Libernican Province of
St Joseph of the most Holy Cross
and Passion of Our Soul Jesus Christ
Held in Broadway August 24th
1863
August 1863

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We may commence our account of the acts of this third chapter of our province by expressing our admiration of the ways of the providence of God over watching over His church. These are days, as we are all aware, to which may be applied with peculiar force such sentences of God's word as that which we find in the second Psalm, where the Royal prophet speaks of "the Gentiles" "Raging and the people devising vain things, of "the Kings of the earth standing up and the "princes meeting together against the Lord" and against His Christ". The enemies of God's church, in other countries, in which our Holy Religion has enjoyed, in days gone by, the greatest honour, have succeeded in altogether preventing the prelaters of the church from meeting in counsel with their supreme head and the Religious orders from holding their chapters. — Nay, they are proceeding, as far as they can, to their entire abolition, while they themselves from associations and hold meetings under the protection and authority of the secular powers for the undisguised purpose of

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deliberating how to humble and dethrone
the Vicar of Christ and to crush the church
over which he presides; but at the same time,
new and bright days are dawning on the church
in these countries, where the enemies of God, action
and earnest then as we see them now, and as
they ever are, effected with so much greater
success what their followers are now aiming
at in other quarters. - The Times are not long
past when all the powers of the world were here
engaged in open war against the Church, the
hopes of which seemed lost. But the Church
has again raised her head in these Kingdoms,
Her prelater meet in synod undisturbed; religious
orders are again revived in all parts and without
hinderence from the powers of the world, and
even with the favour of the people hold their
meetings and deliberations. We have before
as an example of this in the happy manner
in which we have been able to meet for our
present Chapter. Let us not fail to render
due thanks to Almighty God for His great
mercy to us and our people, and let us at
the same time understand our duty in
return for this mercy; that is, to use this

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our newly acquired liberty with geal and prudence
for the ends for which she has given it.
As the time was approaching when the
Ariemical Chapter of our province was to be
held, our Provincial, the Very Revd Father
Squatius of the Infant Jesus addressed a
circular letter to all the superiors of the province
appointing Blessed Paul's Retreat Sublier
as the place of meeting, but postponing
the appointment of the day till after the
general chapter which was to be held at
House in the mouth of May. His letter
was dated April 3rd from Madrid where
he was at the time, absent from house.
In this letter he exhorted all the members
of the province, each individually, to pray
for the Divine Blessing and guidance in
the coming chapter, and appointed prayers,
which should be daily written in common
after matris in all the houses to commence
from the first of May. The New General, after
his election, left it to the Provincial to fix
upon some day in the latter part of August.
A second circular was accordingly sent to the
capitular fathers appointing the 24th August
for the opening of the Chapter, and calling upon

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them to assemble at Dublin in time to unite
in the solemn Sidenum preparatory to the
chapter, which was to commence on Friday 21thth
August, and to attend the usual preliminary
meetings. It was intended that the opening of
the chapter should Lake place at Blessed Vent's
Retreat immediately after the solemn Blessing
of the house which was announced for the
Bth August. Disappointments however occurred
on the part of the tradesmen and otherwise, so
that it was found impossible to prepare the house
for the ceremony of its Blessing as well as for
holding the chapter as soon as was intended.
It was less than a week before the appointed
time of meeting, when notice was given that it
could not Lake place at Dublin, and another
was immediately sent to call the capitular
father, to St Lavion's Retreat at Broadway,
where they accordingly all were assembled in the
course of Thursday, August 20thth. Besides the
capitular fathers of this our province, the Very
Revd Father Joseph of the Immaculate Heart
of Mary, who during the last nine years has
been Provincial of the Belgium. French province
and who so happily filled the office of president
at our last triennial chapter at Lutton, came

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by the appointment of the General to perform the same good office for us at Broadway.
Three other fathers of the Belgian-French province being desirous of visiting our Retreat, accompanied him to this country and arrived on the same day.
Although they took no part in the chapter their presence added to the pleasure with which so many of the Brethren of our Congregation met each other.
On Friday, August 21st, at about nine o'clock, the capitular fathers with their President assembled for the first time in the library of the Retreat which was chosen for the chapter cover. The Very Revd F. Joseph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary having opened the proceedings by the accustomed prayers, the letter of the Most Revd F. General appointing him to preside in the chapter was read by the Very Revd F. Synatius of the Infant Iesus, Provincial. After this, the Provincial, the two Consulters and the Vectors of the several houses, gave up their seals, and the vectors likewise gave in their certificates of the due celebration of Masses in their respective retreats and of the Archivium being duly kept, with the inventories of their churches and houses and abstracts of their accounts.

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this being done the President proposed that the Very Revd & Ignatius of It Paul should act provisionally as Secretary during the preliminary meetings which was unanimously agreed to. He then requested each capitular in Turn to mention such Topic as he might wish to propose for the consideration of the Chapter when the Time should be come after the elections. Several matters were accordingly mentioned and noted, after which the usual thanksgivings offered by the President, and this just meeting was closed.
At four o'clock of the same day, August 21sta the Secret Meeting was held. It was entirely occupied with the accustomed remarks made on the merits of the several fathers whoare eligible to offices in the province. The Capitulars were thus engaged till about half past six, when, after a short thanksgiving, they separate for the night.
On Saturday, August 22nd, the Third meeting was held at Nine o'clock, and closed about eleven houring been occupied with the same matters as during the last meeting of the previous day, viz the discussion of the merits of the fathers enjoying a passive voice in the province. This matter having now been bringht to its conclusion they

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separated in the usual form -
On the same day after the father's head recited Vespers with the community in the church, the Very Revd Sr Eugene of At Authority, Victor of At Josephis retreat, delivered the capitular discourse, in which having taken for his text the words in which It Voul in the beginning of the fourth chapter of the Episthe to the Ephesians so beautifully inculcates on all Christians material forbearances, humility, charity and peace, the enlarged on the importance of these qualities in a religious body, out in a powerful and impressive manner exhirted all to cultivate them -
On Sunday, August 23rd, no capitular meeting was held, but in the evening the solemn Tridum was concluded -
Session I
On Monday, August 24th, at half past six, a solemn Mass de Spiritu Tancto was sung by the Very Revd Sr President, the ministers and assistants being, according to custom, all of them members of the Chapter.
At nine o'clock the Capitulars and all the community met in the church, and followed the Very Revd Sr President to the chapter worn. He bore the crucify and intoned the "Verilla

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Regis is in which all joined; on arriving at the Chapter now he dismissed in the usual form all who were not entitled to vote in the election.
The Very Revd F President then addressed the Capitulars in a later discourse, in which he spoke of the great importance of the work about which they were engaged, viz: the election of superiors in the province. He exhorted them once more fervently to renew their prayers for the blessing of God upon it and happily advertised to the example of our Divine Lord, who spent a night in prayer before choosing this Apostles, as is related by St Luke in the Gospel for the Heart of St Bartholomew on the eve of which they were now met.
The President then interved and the Capitular fathers joined him in singing the Very Creator w, which was followed by the appointed prayers -
The then proposed the usual interrogation whether this Chapter was commically assembled, to which all answered affirmative. The then made the protestation de non excludendis habilibus et non amittendis in habilibus. -
The Secretary then read out by order of the

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President the names of the Capitular fathers, and the following were formed present and answered "ad sum" -
The Very Revd F. Ignatius of the Infant Iesus, Provincial.
" F. Vincent of St Joseph - First Provincial Consult.
" F. Ignatius of St Paul - Second "
" F. Eugene of St Anthony - Rector of St Joseph's Retreat at Highgate -
" F. Bernard of the IS V Mary - Rector of St Laviour's Retreat at Broadway -
" F. Bernardine of the Heart of Mary - Rector of St Anne's Retreat at Luther
" F. Osmund of the Most Holy Cross - Rector of Blessed Paul's Retreat at Dublin -
" F. Lavian of our Lady of Dolous - Master of Novices at this Retreat of St Laviours
then followed the saying of the "Celpa" by the President in his own name to the Very Revd F. Provincial, and by the Very Revd F. Provincial to him in the name of all the capitulars -
The President then gave to the capitulars, absolutions from all censures "ad cantelam" and received it himself from the Provincial -
The decrees of the Holy office and of the commit of treat were then read as prescribed -
These preliminary forms being gone

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through the capitular, proceeded to the election of the Secretary of the chapter. The Very Revd F. Ignatius of St Paul was only chosen and after him the Very Revd F. Bernard of the VB V Mary and the Very Revd F. Lalvian of our Lady of Dolerus were severally proposed and elected as first and second scrutiniers.
The Secretary was now called upon to read a letter from the Most Revd F. General to the President, informing him of the dispensation granted by the Holy Pather for the reelection, if necessary, for a third tireminum of any of the superiors of the two provinces of St Joseph and of St Michael the Arch-Angel, by virtue of which, the votes being now taken.
The Very Revd F. Ignatius of the Iusfaut Jesus was reelected Provincial, the due number of votes being formed to centre in him after several scrutinies. The Secretary immediately framed and read out the decree of his election in the following form: "Ego Ignatius a Sancto Paulo monine meo et omnium eligentium mihi consentientium, invocata gratia spiritus Sancti eligo in Prepositum Provincialem provincia Sancti Josephi admodum Reverendicam Patrem Ignatium ab Iusfaute Jesu et electum prominencio et coram vobis publico, in monine Patris et Pilii et spiritus Sancti, amen." - The Capitular father

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11immediately arose to pay him their obedience; after which the entire community was called together by the sound of the bell for the same purpose; and the altar being quickly prepared all accompanied the Very Revd Rather to the church where he intoned the "Te Deum" in which all united, and gave a benediction of the Blessed Tacrament.
The Capitulars then returned to the Chapter arose simply to close the Session by the usual short thanksgiving, with and forther proceedings Session II
At four o'clock of the same day August 24th. They returned to the chapter arose to hold the second session and to proceed with the elections -
At the second scrutiny the Very Revd Feugene of St Authony was elected first Consultor
At the second scrutiny the Very Revd F. Bernard of the B V Mary was elected second Consultor -
At the first scrutiny the Very Revd F. Ragmund of Aleysins was elected Master of Novices -
At the third scrutiny the Very Revd F. Alphonsus of the B V Mary was elected Rector of the Retreat of St Joseph at Highgate -
At the first scrutiny the Very Revd F.

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Latricia of me Lady of Dolms was elected Rector of the Retreat of St Levious at Broadway.
At the second scrutiny the Very Revd P. Ignatius of St Paul was elected Rector of the Retreat of St Anne at Luther.
At the first scrutiny the Very Revd P. Osmund of the Most Holy Cross was reelected Rector of the Retreat of Blessed Paul at Dublin.
After each election the Secretary read out the decree in the same form as above for the Provincial excepting on occasion of the election of the Rector of St Anne's Retreat, when the choice falling upon himself the decree was found and read out by the first Scrutineer.
The President then by the authority given him by the General pronunciated his confirmation of the election of the Master of Novices, and of the Rectors of the several retreats and after the usual thanksgiving the 2nd Session was closed.
Session III
On Tuesday August 25th the Chapter was again assembled at nine o'clock.
After the usual prayers they entered upon some other topics which had been noted for discussion, and the necessity was spoken of of requiring the Novices at the

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time of their profession a remuneration in legal form of all claim on the Congregation in the event of their leaving A, this matter, it was stated, had been mentioned at the General Chapter at Home and it was then indeed to be attended to. A paper was now produced containing a form of contract drawn up by a Catholic lawyer between a novice and the superior receiving his profession, in which he reminces every such claim.
It was determined that this form should be adopted with some trifling modification to be agreed upon; and not only that novice, to be hereafter professed should sign the form, but that all the present professed members of the province, and professed subjects of other provinces, on being transferred to this, should do so likewise -
The subject of our studies was now brought froward. It was remarked frequently persons accept as clerical novices, though qualified in other respects, are deficient in their style of reading latin and likewise English. It was determined that provision should be made for such as these spending some time, at the discretion of the Provincial, in studies calculated to remove this deficiency; and that some should be allowed to proved to higher studies, unless an examination by the Provincial on by some one deputed by him they should be found

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to have been sufficiently improved in this period.
It was then represented that in most of the retreats the Platea had not been regularly kept up to the present time, and as information such as the Platea should afford is called for at Rome for drawing up the annals of the congregation, the Provincial was requested to appoint one of the fathers to visit the different retreats when this might be the case and to collect materials, upon which it may be drawn up without delay. After the usual thanksgivings the session now closed.
Session IV
In the afternoon of Suesday August 25th after the usual prayers, it was represented in the first place that for many years back from time to time the desireableness of establishing confraternities of the Passion has been spoken of, and authority obtain from Rome for the purpose. It was therefore recommended to the Provincial to take effective measures for carrying out this object.
After this the question was treated how the money which may be given to fathers conducting missions should be divided among the retreats to which they might severally belong. It was decided that it should all be brought together into the hands of the superior

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(Kof the mission, that the travelling expenses of each should all be provided for, and whatever remains should be equally divided. The Provincial was requested to draw up a short regulation for the orderly execution of what has now been decided.
It was ordered in the next place, that the laybrothers on coming home from journeys for the guest should regularly be allowed three days of repose, but that the rectors should be authorized to extend the time if they should judge it requisite or reasonable.
Mention was now made of the importance of avoiding unnecessary visits and conversations especially with ferreals in Secular houses, and of not accepting invitations for meals in them, as also of observing due caution in regard of female coming for instructions to our churches or houses. The Chapter thought it well without making new regulations to call attention to the strict prohibitions or regulations on this matter which may be seen in the acts of our first provincial Chapter and those made at other times by provincials in their visitations. The superiors of the province were now called upon to take great care to have these orders duly attended to.
The Chapter also judged it expedient

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to call the attention of all the members of the province, especially of the younger ones to the convert exhibitations contained in mr Hole Rules and Regulations to cultivate material charity, to avoid the saying anything which might worried the feelings of others as peculiarly is understood by what is termed maternalities, as also to the very severe prohibitions in the Hole Rule and Regulations of the Peace Freedom in trucking each other person.
This fourth session was after this concluded with the accustomed thanksgivings.
Session V
This last session was opened in the afternoon of the 26th August with the usual prayers. The President then in the first place asked all the Capitulars in turn, whether they had anything more to propose, and they all answered in the negative. Nothing now remained but to go through the due journs in conclusion of the Chapter. The Secretary was then called upon to read through the acts of all the preceeding meetings and sessions, which he had been employed in drawing up. These having been approved by the assembled fathers, the newly elected superiors made, as required, their solemn profession of peace and the President

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17and other capitulars appeared as follows their respective signatures, after which having researched for all their heartfelt thanks, to Almighty God the Chapter was finally closed
Joseph ab immaculato Crod Maria - Process Capituli, delegatus a Retus Vatre Generali - Ignatius ab sufante Iesu Provincialis Provinciae Sancti Joseph.
Vivent of St Joseph - First Provincial Consulta Ignatius of St Paul - Secreto Provincial Consulta Eugencius a S. Autonio. Rector of St Josephis
Bernardus a B M Virgine Rector S.S. Salvatoris Bernardinus a Crod Maria Rector Sancta Annae
Osmundus a Stura Cruce Rector Bl. Paulis Salvianus a V. Dolorsa - Novitionum Magister
Concordatus cum originali
Sic 12. Provinciae 1883
Ignatius ab prop. Jesu
Provincialis