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7/3/20/1
Jesu Christi Passio.
Malachy of the Seven Doloms, Provincial of the Anglo-Hibernian Province of St Joseph. To the Very Rev. F. F. Consultors, Pactors, Master of Novices Superiors and to all the Priests, Students, and Say-Brothers of the Anglo-Hibernian Province of the Congregation of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Health and Peace in the Lord.
Having obtained the requisite permission of the Most Rev. Fr General, I have now to announce to you the convocation of the Nineteenth Provincial Chapter of our Province.
We appoint the 29th day of July next as the day of the opening of the Chapter, and St Annes Retreat, Sutton, as the place for holding the said Chapter.
A retrospect of the last three years, dear Brothers in Xt, naturally, recalls mingled feelings of sorrow and joy. There has been, thank God, but one defection from the congregation in this Province. Death too has claimed, but few victims, though among them was numbered Fr Gregory of St Joseph, who for so many years had filled almost every office of Superior, with such benefit and edification to the Religious of the Province. There has been however a steady influx of young men into the congregation with the result that our professed students now number thirty-six, and there are many candidates in the Novitate and the Alumniate.
The foundation of the new Retreat at Emiskillen to serve as a Novitate for the Province was an event which caused universal rejoicing. Starting as it did under many difficulties, and marked with the sign

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of the Cross, Bl Gabriels Retreat seems to have had the special protection of Its Holy Patron, and is now firmly established, and most suitable, by reason of its solitude and beauty for the purposes of a Novitiate.
During the three years, our Retreats at Broadway, Sutton, & Harborne have been rebuilt, and in place of the unhealthy and unsuitable houses that formerly existed, there is now in each place, a commodous and well built Monastery, where the Brethern can live without danger to their health and the provisions of the Holy Rule can be without difficulty carried out.
Notwithstanding the heavy expenses entailed in these changes, we are happy to be able to state that the debt on the Province has not been increased to any great degree. The Superiors of the houses mentioned and their Communities have made most commendable efforts to meet the expenses entailed, while at the same time the debt upon some of our other houses, both here and in Australia has been so considerably reduced, that the total debt on the Province at the present time, is little, if anything, greater than at the last Prove Chapten. In other words, we have required a splendid foundation in Ireland, and have rebuilt three of our Monasteries, without increasing to any appreciable extent the total debt of the Province.
It has pleased Almighty God to employ our Fathers constantly in working for the salvation of souls on Missions and Retreats; and we have reason to believe that this work has been done in a manner that has reflected Glory to God, and honour to the Congregation. But in our own Churches & Carishes it may be said that the work which is being done, is a perpetual Mission, and no less deserving of praise than the success of our Apostolic Missions. The need for fervent and zealous priests is ever on the increase, to supply the requirements of the Retreats, both at home and in Australia.

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The Communities in our Australian Retreats especially have gradually become very small, and will require to be reinforced, if we desire to meet the demands for Missions which are constantly increasing in that Country. Indeed, the future of our Australian foundations is one of the subjects to which the Capitular Fathers will have to give their earnest consideration.
As so much external work necessarily keeps our Religious constantly occupied, it is not without great difficulty that the Choir observance, and the daily horarium can be strictly carried out. The vigilance of Superiors and the good will of the Community can however do much to overcome these difficulties. And as it is a matter of common knowledge that to sanctify others we must be holy ourselves, and as holiness with us is synonymous with the keeping of our Rule, it follows that the most important work for the forthcoming Chapter will be to provide the Province with Superiors who are filled with the Spirit of God, who will go before their Communities as models of observance, and see that their Communities are fitted for Apostolic Labours, by the regularity and fervour of their lives, and the observance of the daily Horarium. To ensure this desirable result should be the object of our constant prayers. Urmanly speaking the future of our Province depends to a great extent upon the Superiors, and this being the case, every lover of our Congregation should earnestly beg of God, that those may be elected, who will fill their respective offices in a manner that will contribute to the sanctity and efficiency of our brethren, and the good name and popularity of our Congregation.
To ensure that the Holy Spirit may guide the deliberations of the Chapter, we ordain that from the receipt of this letter until the 15th day of July, the Religious shall recite during the time of the evening meditation, the following prayers:- Three Paters Aves & Glorias, in honour of our Holy Fathers, 5th Michael & Joseph

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and our Holy Founder St Paul of the Cross, with the respective antiphons & prayers. And furthermore from the 15th July until the 25th of the same month, the "Vericreator" with the versicle and prayer, and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin with the antiphon and prayer "Concede" shall be recited in addition to the above prayers, On the days of the Triduum preceeding the Chapter, as well as on the day of the opening of the same, the Clerks and Lay-Brothers shall receive Holy Communion.
We remind the Rectors to bring their "Litterae Patentes" and seals of Office; and the Rectors and Superiors to bring to the Chapter the following documents (1) Certificate of the faithful celebration of Masses, signed by all the priests of the house except the Rector or Superior.
(2) Certificate of the faithful keeping of the Archives, signed by the Rector or Superior and the Vicar.-
(3) Inventory of House, Church and Sacrifice furniture. (4) A correct financial statement of the Retreat, vi the income and expenditure since the last chapter month, signed by the Rector and Vicar.
(5) A faithful statement of the debts of the Retreat showing the monies borrowed at interest, the percentage payable; monies borrowed without interest; all outstanding debts, and current bills to date including rents, taxes &c., and finally the amount of the balance in hand or in Bank at the time of leaving office, signed by the Rector & Councillors.
The Capitular Fathers are required to be at St annes Retreat, Sutton, not later than the evening of the 25th July, so as to assist at the Triduum and preliminary meetings.
Praying that Almighty God may bestow upon you all His choicest blessings.
I am your humble servant, and brother in Christ.
Malachy of the Seven Colours
Promised
Given at St Josephs Retreat, Highgate Hill, London. 24th day of May 1911.
To be read publicly to the Religious assembled in Choir or Refectory.