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No. 18.
Acts of the 15th Provincial Chapter
of the Anglo-Hibernian Province of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Cross and Passion
of our Lord Trunk Christ, held in
Pr Paul's Retreat, Mr Arquis, Bublin.
13th to 16th July 1899.
In accordance with a convocatory letter of the
Very Rev Pr Gregory, Provincial, dated June 1st,
1899, and sent to all the Rectors and Superiors
of the Province, the Capitular Fathers assembled
in Pr Paul's Retreat on the 8th of July, 1899 to
assist at the Tridum in preparation for the
Chapter summoned for the 13th July 1899.
7/3/16/2
First Meeting.
At 90 clock on the morning of July 10th the first
preliminary meeting was held, all the Capitular
Fathers were present and after invoking the Holy
Spirit, the Very Rev Pr Gregory, Provincial, read a
letter of delegation from the Most Rev Pr General
authorizing the Very Rev Pr Fidelis of the Cross
of the American Province to preside at the Provincial
Chapter.
The Very Rev Pr Andrew of the Cross was
appointed Secretary of the preliminary meetings.
The Rev Father Athanasius was appointed
Custos.
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The Seals of Office, Litheral patenties' Inventories of the Retreats together with the certification of the celebration of Masses and the keeping of the Archives were presented and examined.
The Rectors and Superiors having read the financial statements of their respective Houses, the Very Rev Fr. Philip of the Immaculate Conception and the Very Rev Fr. Anthony of the Holy Cross were appointed to report and examine thereon.
The Very Rev Fr. Provincial gave an account of the financial statement state of the houses in Australia. After some discussion it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Chapter.
The Secretary received and examined the certification of the Archives, the due celebration of Masses, the inventories of the Houses of the Province, and found them correct.
The meeting closed with the usual prayer at 12 a. m.
Second Meeting.
The Fathers assembled in the Chapter room at H.p.m.
The Very Rev Fr. Provincial read a financial statement extending over nine years, - the term of his Provincial Lability.
He also spoke of the desirability of establishing an alumnato in the Province end of the necessity of this preparatory school to supply the
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hovitiake with subjects, and remarked how the various Religious Orders in the United Kingdom had each such an establishment. Whilst all the Fathers agreed as to the necessity of an alumnato they found a difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds for its support. It was therefore decided to leave the matter in the hands of the venerable Chapter.
The meeting closed at 7.0 clock with the usual prayers.
Third Meeting.
The Fathers assembled at 9.0 clock on the morning of July 11th and after invoking the Holy Spirit, they discussed various propositions regarding the Students, Brothers and Missioners.
The meeting closed at 12.0 clock with the customary prayers.
Fourth Meeting.
The Fathers again assembled at 4 p. m.
The plans of the new church at Belfast were examined and approved. The cost not to exceed the amount stipulated by the Bishop, viz, £12.000.
The proposal to purchase a property adjoining the Retreat of Belfast, belonging to Mr. Thompson was also fully approved.
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The oath de secreto servants having been duly administered by the very Rev Dr. President, the merits of those eligible for office were then discussed.
The meeting closed with the customary prayers at 7 p. m.
Fifth Meeting.
The Fathers assembled at 9 o'clock.
This meeting was occupied in discussing the merits of those eligible for office, and closed at 12 o'clock, a. m.
Sixth Meeting.
The Fathers assembled in the choir at 3 p. m. for Westers, after which an eloquent Permon was preached by the Rev Dr. Alphonsus of the Blessed Virgin taking for his test, Spiritus Somini replevit orbem terrarum.
At 4. 15 the Fathers met in the Chapter Room and after finishing the discussion of those eligible for office, the Celebrant and his Assistants for the Solemn High Mass on the next morning were appointed.
The meeting closed with the customary prayers at 7 p. m.
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On the morning of July 13th, Solemn High Mass,
De Spiritu Sancto' was sung by the very Rev F. Gregory,
of Po Joseph, Provincial; Deacon; very Rev F. Michael
of the Sacred Heart of Mary, 2nd Provincial Consultor;
Sub. deacon, very Rev F. Andrew of the Holy Cross,
Rector of Highgate; M. C. very Rev F. Richard of the
Imm. Conception, Rector of Broadway. The rest of the
Capitular Fathers together with the Very Rev Father
President were in the sanctuary and the religious
community of Mo Argus were present in the Church.
At 9.30 a.m. all the Capitulars and the entire
religious community were assembled in the sanctuary.
F. President rested in Stole and surplier bearing
the crucifix, intoned the 'Vesilla Regis' which was
taken up by the religious, who went in processional
order to the Chapter room. Arrived within the Chapter
room, the usual responses and prayers were sung by
the very Rev F. President, who then in the prescribed form
dismissed those not having the 'Active voice', the
Capitulars alone remaining.
The very Rev F. President addressed the Capitular
Fathers reminding them of the solemnity of the occasion,
the grave responsibility devolving upon them, how pure
and single-minded their intention should be entering
on the work of the Chapter, because of its far-reaching
effects, and how too, that though the Holy Spirit was
with us in that we were engaged in the work of God, we
ourselves had still the dangerous power of frustrating
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the designs of God with regard to the Congregation by seeking to carry out our own designs rather than those of the Holy Spirit. Therefore he earnestly exhorted the Fathers to co-operate with the stivine will and to strive with pure and single minds to carry it out in all their deliberations.
The names of the Capitular Fathers were then called, each answering, Adsum:
Very Rev Fr. Fidelis of the Cross, President:
" " "Gregory "Sr Joseph." " "Sominic of the Imm. Heart of Mary." " "Michael "Sacred " " "" " "Andrew "Holy Cross." " "Richard "Imm. Conception." " "Austin of our most Holy Redeemed." " "Philip "the Imm. Conception." " "Anthony "Holy Cross." " "Fidelis "Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Very Rev Fr. President then intoned the 'veni Creator,' the varietie and prayers following.
After this he interrogated the Electors as to whether they considered the Chapter lawfully and canonically converted, so that its worth might be proceeded with. all having answered in the Affirmative, the Fr. President in his own name and in the name of all protested against admitting the disqualified and excluding those qualified from the elections of the Chapter.
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After this the customary acts of humility were performed by the very Rev Fr. Gregory, Provincial, in his own name and in that of the Capitulars, the very Rev Fr. President imparting the 'absolutis ad Cautelam' to all, he himself afterwards receiving it at the hands of the very Rev Fr. Gregory.
Then followed the reading of the decree 'Contra Sollicitantes'.
The election of a Secretary was next proceeded with, the very Rev Fr. Richard being chosen by ballot. After this two Scoutatores were elected, viz, very Rev Fr. Andrew and the very Rev Fr. Austin who together with the Secretary forthwith took the oath of secrecy and fidelity.
All these canonical requirements having been faithfully carried out. The Secretary received from the Fr. President, the faculty of publishing the Scoutinies and of praising and publishing elections. The venerable Chapter then proceeded to the election of a Provincial. After a few scoutinies the very Rev Fr. Philip acquired the requisite number of votes, and the decree of election was framed and published by the Secretary in the usual form. The very Rev Fr. Philip thanked the Fathers for their show of confidence in him and professed his readiness to carry out the overcoming duties of the Provincialate to the best of his ability. After this the Religious were summoned to the Chapter room and the decree of election was promulgated, the Te Deumi and Solemn Benediction of the B. Secretary following:
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2nd Session.
This Session was opened on the afternoon at 4:1530. Before proceeding to the election of the 1st Provincial Consultor, various points in connection with our Houses were discussed, after which the President announced to the Venerable Chapter that they were to proceed to the election of the 1st Consultor which happily ended in the choice of the Very Rev Fr. Gregory of Mr. Joseph, late Provincial. The decree of election having been read, Fr. Gregory arose and expressed his thanks to the chapter for having elected him 1st Consultor, - en office which he trusted would enable him both to have a little rest after his many years of arduous work, and be of some help to Fr. Provincial in his difficult task.
Then followed the elections of the second Consultor, the Master of Novices, and the Rectors of Highgate and Broadway, which resulted as follows.
Second Consultor:- Very Rev Fr. Placid of the Most Holy Redeemer. Master of Novices:- Very Rev Fr. Sebastian of the Inn. Conception. Rector of Mr. Joseph's, Highgate, the Very Rev Fr. Fidelis of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Rector of Mr. Saviouris, Broadway, the Very Rev Fr. Malachy of the Try Colours.
After each election the decree was published by the Secretary in the usual form.
The session closed with prayer at 6.30 p. m.
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Grd Session. July 14. 1899.
This Session opened at 9 a. m. with the usual prayers. The Fathers entered above on the election of the Rector of Pt. Annes, Sutton, after a few serutinies the Very Rev Pt. Andrew of the Holy Cross, received the required number of votes and the decree of election was read.
Then followed the elections for the Retreats of Sublin and Belfast. After a few serutinies the Very Rev Pt. Wilfrid of the Lacred Heart of Mary was elected for St. Jaules Retreat, Monnt Argus, Sublin, the decree of election was read by the Secretary. Afterwards the Fathers proceeded to the election for Belfast. After some serutinies, the Very Rev Pt. John Mary of Jesus Crucified received the required number of votes, and the decree of his election was read by the Secretary in the usual form.
The Session closed at 12 o'clock with prayer.
4th Session, July 14. 1899.
This afternoon at 4 o'clock, the Fathers again assembled and after the usual prayers proceeded without delay to the election for Pt. Mary's Harborne. The Very Rev Pt. Michael of the Lacred Heart of Mary received the requisite votes and the decree of his election was duly read by the Secretary. This Session closed with the usual prayer at 5.15 p. m.
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J. A. Session, July 15, 1899.
at 9.30 a.m. the Fathers assembled in the Chapter Room and after the Customary prayers, the Father President asked the Finance Committee for their report.
A Statement was accordingly made by them on the financial condition of the various Houses. From the Statement it was discovered that the Province,
ex including Australia, was in a most satisfactory State, - £ 5086 having been paid off the permanent debt and a sum of £ 4,000 already in hand towards the building of the proposed new Church at Belfast.
Referring to the Australian portion of the Finance it was also seen that £ 500 had been paid off the House, Glen Osmond, Adelaide. The financial Statement for Marrick ville had not been handed into the Chapter.
A preparatory College or Alumnato for youths destined to keep up the Supply for the Novitiate of the Province was the real subject of discussion, - the chief difficulty being the want of funds to support it. All the Fathers admitted the necessity of such an institution and the notion was therefore ananimously carried that such a college ought to be established and this at Pt. Michaels Retreat, Nareham.
As to the funds for its support this difficulty was removed by the suggestion that four of our principal Houses in the Province should supply the Provincial with an Annual sum of £ 1000 for the support of
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this College and to enable himalso to meet the other wants of the Province, this turn to be made up in the following manner.
Glasgow, Li 400.
Paris, Li 300.
Belfast, Li 200.
Sutton, Li 100.
This suggestion was approved of by the Venerable Chapter.
Passing from the subject of the preparatory College, the Venerable Chapter reach drew 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. The Chapter, moreover, renewing the decree of the Ith Provincial Chapter inflicting the penalty of Suspension 'itso facto' on any Father who either going to or returning from as well as during Missions shall take Spirit to before dinner, declaring that by 'Dinner' is understood a real taken about mid-day, ordains that the same penalty be extended to the case of those going out from the Retreat for Charity Sermons or Supplies.
The Venerable Chapter wishing to express its firm determination of stamping out the degrading vice of Intemperance earnestly requests the Most Rev? Fr? General to co. operate with the Superiors of the
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Province for this end, and begs him to remove incorrigible Religions out of the Province and failing this out of the Congregation. It declares moreover that the Province is prepared to provide liberally for the maintenance of such Religions in the event of their being sent to another Province.
This Session closed at 12. 15 a. m. with the usual prayers.
6th Session, July 15. 1899
In the afternoon at 4. 15, the Fathers again assembled and after the prayers they discussed fully the necessity of having the decrees of past Provincial Chapters read to all the religions. To this end the venerable Chapter or drains that the Provincial and his Consultors do make a compendium of the most important Decrees of all the Provincial Chapters and that these Decrees be read publicly four times each year and in every House of the Province.
The venerable Chapter in conformity with the decree of the late General Chapter agrees that that the Province should contribute the sum of £ 20 yearly towards the causes of Beatification in the Congregation.
The Session closed at 60 o'clock with the usual prayers.
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7th Session. July 16. 1899.
This session opened at 10:00 clock a.m. with the Customary prayers.
The Capitulars being inhorrogated as to whether they had anything further to propose all answered in the negative. The Very Rev Fr. President then approved the elections made and the newly elected present made their Profession of Taich.
The acts of the Chapter were then read and approved and this Tefteenth Capitular Assembly of our Province concluded with the usual prayers all rendering heartfell thanks to God, to our Blessed Lady, Pr. Michael, Pr. Joseph, and our Holy Founder, - Pr. Paul of the Cross for the happy termination of their labours.
A warm vote of thanks to the Very Rev Fr. Fidelis, President, was proposed by the Very Rev Fr. Philip, Provincial, and recorded by the Very Rev Fr. Gregory, 1st Prov. Consultor.
The Very Rev Fr. President thanked the Provincial and the Chapter for the kind expressions they had made with reference to him.
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The Capitulars then subscribed their names to these
Acts in the order following.
Fidelis of the Cross. President.
Gregory " St. Joseph. Provincial.
Dominic " the Imm. Heart of Mary, 1st Consultor.
Michael " " Sacred " " 2nd " "
Andrew " " Cross Rector, St Josephis. Highgate
Richard " " Imm. Concep. " " Saviouris. Broadway.
Auctin " our most Holy Redeemer " " St. Annes. Putton.
Philip " the Imm. Concep. " " - Pauls Mt Argus.
Anthony " " Holy Cross " " Holy Cross. Belfast.
Fidelis " " Sacred Heart " St Maryjs. Harborne.

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Bernard Mary of Jesus,
Superior - General of the Congregation of
the Most Holy Cross and Passion
of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Acts of the Chapter of the Anglo-Hibernian
Province of St Joseph held from the thirteenth
to the sixteenth of the month of July of this
Current year 1899 having been sent to us and
diligently perused we are glad to say that we
have met with nothing therein which is not
quite in accordance with the Sacred Canons
and the Rules and Constitutions of our
Institute.
Wherefore approving and by our
Authority confirming all and each of the
provisions sanctioned in the said Chapter for
the good of the Province itself or for the integrity
of regular discipline, we declare and decree
that all the Religions of the Said Province
are bound to their observance in the same manner
as if they had been decreed by ourselves.
Given at Rome from the Rebeat of
PP John & Paul
12 September 1899.
Bernard Mary of Jesus,
Superior General.
(V. 0.5)
Concordal cum originali.
Philip of the Immac. Conception. Provincial.

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ITEM NO.
CALL #
YEAR MONTH DAY
CASE
SERIAL
DATE OF BUILDING
AGENCY NO.
MONTH DAY
CASE NO.
CALL NO
ITEM NO.
1849.07.16 001.
YEAR MONTH DAY
CLASS.
NUMBER.
ENTRADE SERIAL
193.06.02 192.
AGENCIES
MOUT ARCUS, DUBLIN, 6.