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No 23.
7/3/93
J. X. P.
Acts.
of the
VIII Provincial Chapter of the
Congregation of the Passion of our Lord
Jour Christ
Held in S. Joseph's Retireal, Highgate, London
From the 21st till the 30th June
1878

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J. X. P.
VIII. Provincial Chapter of the Anglo-Rebovinian
Province of S. Joseph.
Held in S. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, London
June 15th
In answer to a letter of Conversation issued to all Consultors, Superiors, and Religious, by the U. Rev. S. Eugene of S. Antony, Provincial, on March 24th presenting the usual devotions and Tridenum in preparation for the west, the Chapter Fathers all assembled at S. Joseph's Retreat on the day June 21st 1878. to assist in the preliminary meetings, and be present at the Capitular Tridenum.
Meeting. I
The Fathers assembled at 7.30 a.m. in the room destined for the Chapter on Friday June 21st. The prayers Edenerum having been said by the U. Rev. S. President, the Letter of Delegation of the Most Rev. S. Duncan, General of our Congregation, to the U. Rev. S. Denis of the Principation, Consultor General, empowering and authorizing him to provide over the Chapter, was read. The U. Rev. S. President announced a special blessing of his Holiness Pope Leo XIII, to the Capitular Fathers. The Fathers all, then gave up their scale of office, and their litteral patentees, after which the S. President allowed all to retain their respective offices until the conclusion of the Chapter. The Superiors then handed in the

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(2) customary documents, vig. - The Testimonium de nector Marco-
num celebratione, de Judeli archivii custodia. inventorium respect-
vae Sonnas, et statum administrationis.
Four Commissions were then formed to examine those papers and other matters of importance. The Pries of the Theology Shoot was chosen as Secretary of the preliminary meetings, and Theology Shoot of the Innovation as Custodian Capituli. All the Lathers including the Custodian took the oath in water vando. Each Lather, afterwards proposed for the consideration of his Dutheren, those matters which might become the subject of Devots, and each birth notes of what was suggested.
Meeting II
The Lathers assembled again at 3.30 p.m. and spent the time until 5 p.m. in proposing for consideration the above to be remedied. The Meeting was then concluded with the usual prayers.
Meeting III
On Saturday June 22nd at 9.30 a.m. the Lathers assembled in the Chapter-room, and began the discussion, first of the members of the Chapter, on their eligibility for office. This discussion concluded, with a complimentary observation from Theology Shoot on the charity with which it was conducted, at 11.15 a.m. The members of the extra-Capitulars Lathers were then discussed until 12 o'clock, when the Meeting concluded with the usual prayers.

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Meeting IV
At 3:30 p.m. the Stations assembled again to continue the work begun at the morning Meeting and concluded this portion of their work at 5:30 p.m. when the Meeting was closed as usual.
Meeting V.
On Sunday June 23rd the Stations assembled at 7:30 a.m. and the usual prayer was recited by the President. The Commissions then gave in their various reports. This session herminated at 11 o'clock a.m. It was announced that there would be no afternoon session, as the Procession of the D. Sacrament (the being Sunday within the Oct of Copius) was announced to have place at 4 p.m. All the Community were present at the customary Capitular address delivered at 12 o'clock, noon, by the U. S. Ar. S. Alphonseus of the D. U. Many.
Session T.
On Monday June 24th at 7:30 a.m. High Mass was celebrated, with the ceremonies customary in our Congregation, on several occasions. At 10 o'clock a.m. the Community assembled in the Church, and thence followed the Processional Course (come by S. President) and the Capitulars to the Chapter room, to Verilla Regis being sung on the way. The President then asked the formida about water for when all those who had not the right of voting retired. The U. S. Ar. President then delivered a beautiful discourse in Latin to the Capitulars. The artifactiles having been gone through, the names of the Caps

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ulars were called over, and the following answered advised usk.
The S. Rev. President of the Provision of the Cogn. 2nd Consultor of the Cogn.
President.
The V. Par. S. Eugene of S. Entony. ... . Provision
... . Opponens of the P.V. the ... . 1st Consultor
... . Permand of the P.V. the ... . 2nd Consultor
... . Anselm of the Assumption ... Putton Stephens Highgate
... . Assumption of S. Alleysius. ... S. Eugene Anselm
... . Edmund of the P. Blood. ... S. Connells Sutton
... . Dominic of the S. Heart of Mary. ... S. Putton Dublin
... . Pies of the St. Ghost. ... St. Chase Belfast
In voting for the Secretary of the Chapter, the let fell upon S.
Pies of the St. Ghost. St. A. Anselm of the Assumption and
Dominic of the S. Heart of Mary, were elected Southerners having
fulfilled all the formalities, the Fathers then proved to be
elected of a Provincial. After several southerners the votes
being discondered, and no one having the canonical hos-then
the Session concluded with the gratians against at 11.45 am
Session II.
The Fathers re-assembled in the Chapter room at 3.30 pm
and continued the voting for the election of Provincial. Several
southerners having been taken without a conclusion having
been come to, the Fathers adjourned at 5.15 pm. for half an hour, and
returned to the Chapter room at 5.45 pm. The result of 6
southerners then taken being viz the Session concluded in the
usual way at 6.45 pm.

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Dission III.
The Capitulars assembled in the usual place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday June 25th. The first scrutiny for the election of Provincial resulted in the choice of V. Rev. J. Calphorneus of the B. L. M. The election was published by the Lecturery in the usual form. The Capitular Fathers having first made obedience, the Community was then summoned by sound of bell to make their obedience to the new Provincial, and all proceeded to the Church to chaurish the Co-Document, and go through the ceremonies usual on such occasions.
The Capitular Fathers again assembled at 10:45 a.m. and proceeded to the election of a 1st Consultor. After a few song times, the V. Rev. J. Lugane of Linchtony was chosen and produced in the usual manner by the Lecturery. The Capitulars then proceeded to the election of a 2nd Consultor. After a few scrutinies the V. Rev. J. Lenston of the Assumption, was chosen to that office, and his election published in the usual form.
They then proceeded to the election of Master of Movies. At the 1st scrutiny, the V. Rev. J. Paymound of Lelygries was elected and his election published canonically. He made great opposition to the acceptance of the office, but the entreaties of the Fathers prevailed, and he submitted.
The next election was of Dector of Highgate. The V. Rev. J. Sincent of S. Heart of Jesus, was elected to that office at 1st scrutiny, and the election being produced in the usual way the Lecturery closed with the usual prayerd at 11:45 a.m.

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Question IV.
The Jathers assembled once more in the Chapter noon at 4 p.m. and after the usual payments proceeded to the election of a Debtor for I Savini's Debted Democracy. In consequence of a belgram from Savini, the question was put to the Chapter, whether Stators look their passive voice, and the votes being passed it was decided that this belgram did not touch the passive voice. The Jathers then went on with the election. After a few minutes the U. S. Ass. Minister of the State of Mass. was elected and his election proclaimed in the usual way.
They then proceeded to the election of a Debtor for I Savini's Debted Capital and proclaimed the let feel upon the U. S. Ass. Minister of the VII Colonies. This election was deeply proclaimed by the Secretary.
The assembled was for Stators for State of Mass. Administration. At the 1st seminary the U. S. Ass. Minister of the Commerce was elected Debtor and proclaimed as sect in the usual way.
They then proceeded to the election of a Debtor for U. S. Ass. Minister of Defense and after a few minutes, the U. S. Ass. Minister of the VII Colonies was elected and proclaimed in the usual way.
The Chapter having decided that a Debtor might be chosen for I Mary's Debted Harbors proceeded accordingly to elect one. The U. S. Ass. Minister of the News of Mass. was elected to that office at the 1st seminary, and proclaimed accordingly.
The Capitol and Jathers then went to the Library and the Library had the result of the elections to the assembled Community Telegrams were hereupon depatched to the various Stations.

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Thus did this Session conclude.
Session V.
The Fifth Session began with the current payres on Wednesday June 26th at 9:30 a.m. The first thing discussed was a letter addressed to the President by the Dr. Dear J. Michael bendering his razingnation. The letter was so simple and breaking and so indispensable of his goodness and humility, that it went altogether to convince the Sathers the more of his fitness for the office. The president was unanimously rejected. He was then called into the Chapter room, and, having heard the Sathers' decision, he bought his head to the Well of God.
The Sathers then proceeded to discuss the matters proposed for their consideration at the preliminary meetings, and passed the following Documents, for the letter ordering of the practical working of our President, and the presentation of the growth of abuses in this Province:—
I.—The Religious, who are appointed to visit in the Priests or districts attached to our Houses, are reminded, that they should visit the poor, the negligent, and the sick, and not be shown a preference for the better classes lest this important duty should degenerate into useless visits of pleasure or compliment. Religious are prohibited to take any representation whilst on these visits, or ordinarily coalite without the permission of the Superior.
II.—A. Becker or Superior receiving an application to send phy for Priests, can send on their own authority a Religious'

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ischarge this duty for once; but if a supply be required often on once in the same place, it must not be done without the knowledge of the Provincial. Peligious sent on this duty should have to the Reheart after their ecclesiastical functions are disarged, and moreover the same Peligious, should not be sent whimswordly to the same place without urgent necessity.
The Attention is called to a Deuse passed in our Sixth lapter which runs as follows:— "Rectors and Superiors of Houses, are recommended to observe faithfully, and cause to be observed, what has been decred in former Chapters regarding the secular dress of the Peligious, and to be vigilantly repel that no abuse be introduced herein."
The In addition to the Deuse of the 2nd Chapter, as approved in the Seventh, with regard to the clothing of the Peligious, - it is decred that every Peligious without distinction be provided with a top-coat or an equivalent in money which is decided to be £2.5.0, in going from one Reheart to another.
The 5th Session concluded with the usual prayers at 11.35 a.m.
Session VI.
This Session was begun with the usual prayers at 3.30 p.m. V.:— As the object of the walts prescribed by our A. Lula and permitted to the Peligious, is healthy moderate eye-rise, and not sight seeing or amasement, these walts should be taken as far as possible in the country, and not through

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Arrives or cities. This Chapter considers the custom introduced in to some of our Houses, of asking money for the purpose of travelling on these occasions in trains, cars, omnibuses, tramways, or other conveyances, as an abuse, and disapproves of it accordingly. It is absolutely forbidden to the Religious to use money, or to make use of these modes of conveyance, without the permission of the Superior, which permission he cannot consistently grant without a legitimate reasons and let him rigorously invist on the oft-repeated order, that every Religious, must return to the Retreat from such walls, at latest in time for Compelin.
VI.—This Dex. Chapter has learned with very deep regret that grave faults have been committed by some Religious, in the way of receiving letters privately, and sending letters serreptitiously, against the prescript of our St. Rule. Great several has been given thereby to the seculars engaged by them for this purpose, and serious injuries have accrued to the Religious themselves—several having come in this manner to lose their vocation. It is enjoined in the Superiors to watch vigilantly lest any Religious should fall into such a serious violation of our St. Rule for the purpose. Any one found guilty of this fault is to be reported to the Provincial who will decide what penitement is to be inflicted in consequence. The Superiors are again urgently ordered next to mist, through human respect, the 9th recommendation of S. Paul of the Cross, wherein he says:—"Let him (the

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Superior) be most exact in examining letters, when they go to, & come from the post, or any other place, and read them without human respect, remembering that this is one of the points of the first importance for maintaining observance and good order in the Detroit.? The Superiors of Missions are born to observe the same practice, except in the case of letters of companions, enjoying exemption by their office, and letters written to, or by Superiors.
This session closed with the usual prayers at 6.30 p.m.
Description. VII
The Dathers again assembled at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday June 27th. The first business on hands was to discuss a letter in which St Salvain removed his office as Pestor of St. Annis. Button. This reasons were taken into consideration and the votes passed. It was unanimously decided that he should accept the owner. He was thereupon called into the Chapter-room, and when the decision was made known to him, he bought to the Will of God with a good grace.
VIII. — The Dev. Chapter insists upon the careful observer of the prescription of our Dr. Rule (CHAPT. XXV) which ordains that no Religious except the Pestor, or Sice Pestor, may go to the cell of another without permission, except in cases of suckness, and then according to the spirit of the Rule. The violations of this Rule, have brought evils to Religions. The observance henceforth, must be rigorously insisted on and its violation severely punished.

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III:- It is expressly forbidden to the Religious to lock or so secure the doors of their cells so that they cannot be opened - and litervise is it forbidden to keep anything in their cells secured against the Superior.
IX:- Professed Religious are strongly recommended to avoid speaking to Students, and tempting them to violation of Rule by speaking, and much more do we recommend them to avoid tempting Rovers in the same way.
X:- Let the Religious always keep before their minds, the words of the St. Rule declaring the bearible punishments which overhang detractors of Superiors (Conv. XXXI) Let them also read the 10th paragraph of Re 8 of our Regulations on the same subject. Rectors and Superiors are charged to watch over this most important point of religious discipline, since experience shows that great eirls have arisen from their neglecting this point. Thereforth offenders against charity in this way must be rigorously dealt with Superiors conniving at each conduct, and neglecting the infernation of the same St. Rule. viz "the contumacious and detractors being delayed shall suffer the sue punishment." - commit a great sue against the virtue of charity for which they will have to hender a severe account at the tubernal of God. This I concluded at 12 moon as usual.
Session VIII.
On Thursday the 8th Session opened in the usual manner at 3.30 p.m. when the following was decreed.

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XI:—Missioners are to come home immediately after the Mission according to the St. Rule, and when they come home the Superior is to treat them with peculiar charity; at the same time no Missioner is to exact any special kind of treatment in food or drink as a right.
XII:—The holding of local Chapters being one of the means for keeping good order in the Community, and presenting abuses from ereeping in, this Chapter legs to call attention to the clause in CHAPTER XXXII of the St. Rule where the members of speaking about faults is carefully pointed out. "The Priests and others who have received Sacred Orders, shall, if necessary, treat of the matters be proposed to them, each one delivering his opinion respectfully and with a humble mind." Disclosing matters treated of at local Chapters is a crime which the Superior ought to punish with a severe penalty. This session was concluded at 6 p.m. with the usual prayers.
Session IX
On Friday, June 28th there was no morning session, as the Jathers appointed on the Commission on enginery into the state, and legality of the title-dues of our various properties had to go the City to get legal advice. At 3:30 p.m. therefore the Jathers assembled in the Chapter-room for the 9th session, and the first subject of consideration was a letter addressed to the President by the Dr. Pew J. Curtis of WT Dolores, tendering his resignation of the office to which he had been elected viz Prestor of Italy Cross Attest Belfast.

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The next decrees passed were:-
XIII:- The families given to our Priests to hear the Conferences of the Religious expire at the time of the Visitation, and require to be renuncied by the Father Visitor.
XIV:- We beg to exhort Superiors to look after the observance of those clauses of the Rules and Regulations, which have reference to the Spiritual Conferences of the Religious, and especially that clause of Rec. III No 7. (Part. 2) which says:-
"Every month let him (the Director) inform the St. Pector whether the Religious come to Conference or if they are negligent in this respect." The monthly visit to be made by the clerks and Lay-brothers to the Pector as prescribed in CHAPT. XXII of the St. Rule is especially to be attended to.
XV:- Pectors and Superiors are charged with watching one this part of the St. Rule CHAPT. XIX, and the directions given in Rec. IV No 2 that the Priests should always make the prescribed half-hours preparation before celebrating the St. Sacrifice of the Mass, and that those who have permission to celebrate in the first half-hour of prayer, should make this preparation before Prime and Sieve. Let the see also that the prescribed half-hour of thanksgiving not omitted without necessity.
This Session concluded with the usual prayers at 6.4.5 p.m.
Session X.
At 9.30 a.m. Saturday June 29th the Cap. Letters assemble

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and after the usual prayers, the V. Rev. J. President proposed the our jest of J. Austin's resignation. The notes were passed, and it was unanimously accepted. J. Austin was called into the Chapter-room, and told us by the J. President
The Capitular Jathers then proceeded to the election of a Rector for Holy Cross Petrest Belfast. After a few scrutinies, the V. Rev. Jr. President of Our Lady of the S. Heart, was elected and published in the usual way.
The Cap. Jathers then proceeded to the discussion of the various matters placed before them. They then passed the following decrees XVI.:. The nature of the obligation of the cour of Poverty is—that no Religious can receive for his private use, possess, or exercise dominion over money or its equivalent without the consent of his Superior. Hence we reprobate as a serious transgression of this cour the practice of some Religious who presume to keep money in their rooms, spend it at their pleasure, to accept presents &c. In themselves, or keep them, to give presents, alleying custom as their justification. All customs existing amongst us contrary to the condition of Poverty are hardly abrogated; and for the future the permission of the lawful Superior, will be necessary in every case. Religious cannot be the depositories of monies, cannot distribute money to the good, even when it is given them by Perspectors for that purpose without permission. Great caution is recommended in accepting the office of a medium to transfer money from one person to another, and this Chapter calls attention to Resour. VI. 16 (Mar 2) with regard to Restitution money.

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XVII : Superiors are exhausted to keep a proper supply of under-clothing, handthreshiefs and collars for the Religious in their Community, to give them in charge to a Brother who will distribute them according to our custom. Let a Bestor or Superior be careful how he allowed Religious the privilege of private bundles for the wash, and thus stop an abuse which has been gradually creeping in amongst us.XVIII : Superiors are not to recognise any permission, privileges or dispensations alleged to have been given or granted by higher Superiors, unless such exemptions be in writing and are shown to them.
This Session concluded with the usual thankgiving at 12.5 p.m.
Division XI
The Statters assembled at 3.30 p.m. and began with the usual prayer.XIX : When one half or the whole of the afternoon hour's meditation has been omitted, because of some service in the Church, the Religious are all obliged to assist at the service for the sale of which the meditation was omitted. Bestors are charged to see that this Regulation be observed.
XX : This Chapter in conformity with the 1st Decree of Session XII of the Late Gent Chapter, extends the term of post-heleney to 3 months, but when the Master of Praises and Local Chapter judge fit to shorten this term on account of the good spirit or proficiency of the subject, they may with the consent of the Provincial admit the Postulant to the Joly Valit on a shorter "orbitation." This Session closed with the usual prayers at 6 o'clock on.

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Session XII
At 4.30 am on Sunday June 30th the Fathers assembled for the 12th Session and it was begun in the the social prayers.
The following Decrees were then passed:
XXI. + The Chapter decrees that anything above the sum of £10. named in a decree of the 1st Provincial Chapter, as an extraordinary expenditure, requiring besides the consent of the local Chapter, that of the Higher Supremes also - according to CHAPT. XIII of our It. Rule - be hereby augmented to £10. in consequence of the alteration in the value of money since the decree was made.XXII. + To justify the requirements of our It. Rule (CHAPT. XXII) and of the 1st General Chapter, the V. Rev. J. Lugene of Liberty + the Rev. J. Pier of the It. Chast were clashed as official examiners of works to be published by any of the Fathers of the Province, and also of the writings and sermons of the young Mentioners.XXIII. + The Chapter orders all the Parlors to give immediate attention to the paper Reciping of the Chronicles, + Parker, and also to the state of the Archives in their respective houses according to the tenor of our It. Rules.XXIV. - Let no Parlor be at liberty to change existing buildings, to repair substituted or short new Confederations or to alter the pre-existing order of Services in the Churches without the consent of the J. Provincial. The Capitular Fathers then made a Compoundmen of the decrees of former

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Provincial Chapter, in conformity with a Deure of the Late General Chapter.
The President then interrogated each Father experiently if he had anything further to propose. All amended in the regard to his.
The Chapter cannot separate without expressing its most humble and cordial thanks to Mr. Holmes Pope deer III for his special Delivering.— to the Most Rev. J. General for having sent as its President the D. Rev. J. Comultor Gen. J. Danis, lately cleared to that office in the Gent Chapter, to the great joy and satisfaction of us all rest— to the D. Rev. J. President himself, for the charioty, Revidence welcome and wisdom with which he described his inportant duty in principle as the Chapter now happily brought making, with a recommendation to all local Superiors, to chess and expend with a further care the Confederation of the Passion. The newly cleared Superior then made their profession of Laist and appended their ingratiation to these Caputular acts with the following declaration: "Omnia it mingula in hoc Capitulo Provincialis statuta ducata it acta, quae decit obscientia it necessitia, one tortutate, concechone, it unendatione. Adm. Rev. J. Patricio Generalis judicio unendanda, corrigenda, mudanda subjectiva."
Dimplies a Chief. B. Dr. V. Passes Capitulis
Engravinged but Provincialis

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Alphonsus @ Beata Maria Vigue 1st Ano Portes
Bernardus at B. M. Vigue 2d Conso Frontes
Anaclinus at Anaclinus Rector J. Sangles
Nugmundus a 1 Alays in Rector John Salvadoris
Idramundus @ Rector John Sangles Rector J. Conne
(Arminicus at John Conne Rector John Salvadoris
Prins a Lp Sancto. Rector John Conne)
CALL NO
ITEM NO
1878-06-30
0018
YEAR MONTH DAY
CLASS.
NUMBER.
ENTRY DATE
SERIAL
675-06-04
141
ARMINICUS
MOUNT ARDID, DUBLIN, G.