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6/1/2/3
ACTS OF THE SECOND PROVINCIAL CHAPTER
of the
PROVINCE OF ST. PATRICK
of the
CONGREGATION OF THE MOST HOLY CROSS AND PASSION
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
held in
ST. PAUL'S RETREAT, MOUNT ARGUS, DUBLIN.
MAY, 1932.

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I.
J. X.P.
In compliance with the convocatory letter of the Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian of the Immaculate Conception, Provincial, dated April 13th ( Feast of St. Joseph) and sent to all the Rectors and Superiors of the Province, the Capitular Fathers assembled in St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, on May 23rd 1932, to assist at the Tridum in preparation for the Chapter.
FIRST SESSION.
At 9 o'clock on the morning of May 24th, the first meeting was held. The Very Rev. Fr. Gerald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus read the official notice of the appointment of the Very Rev. Fr. Buonaventure of the Assumption of the B.V.M., Ist Consultor General, who had been appointed by the Most Rev. Fr. General to preside at the Chapter. All the Capitular Fathers were present. They were most grateful to have as their President, the Very Rev. Fr. Buonaventure of the Assumption of the B.V.M.
After the customary prayers had been recited, the Very Rev. Fr. President asked the Capitular Fathers if they were satisfied that all the due formalities had been complied with, and the Chapter canonically opened. All answered in the affirmative. He then reminded the Fathers of the importance of the work before them during the Chapter. The good of the Province depended upon their deliberations. Superiors would have to be selected to rule the Province for the next three years. The Congregation expects much from the Province of St. Patrick. Special prayers have been offerd for light and guidance. It is now the Capitular Fathers' duty to act with wisdom and prudence

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having in view the spiritual good of the Province, as well as the Congregation.
The Rev. Fr. Columban of the Immaculate Conception was unanimously elected Custos. The usual oath "de secreto servando" was administered to him. The Very Rev. Fr. Gerald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was elected Secretary of the Chapter.
The Litterae Patentes, certificates of the due celebration Masses, the keeping of the Archives, and the Inventories were then handed in; and the Financial Statements of the various Retracts were read by their respective Rectors. The Very Rev. Fr. Provincial read a Statement of the Province, as well as the Financial Statement of St. Patrick's Retreat, Be Fast. The Very Rev. Frs. Francis and Bernard (Consultors) were appointed to examine and report on the Financial Statements as well as the other certificates.
The remainder of the first session was taken up with the subjects to be discussed during the Chapter. An agenda was drawn up.
SECOND SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers assembled on the Chapter Room at 3-30 p.m. During this session, the Discussio Meritorum of those eligible commenced. During this session, the Very Rev. Fr. Gerald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus made a statement to the Capitular Fathers requesting for reasons of health, not to be considered eligible for office.
At the end of this session, it was agreed that on account of the Peast of Corpus Christi falling on May 26th, (the day the elections should commence) to anticipate the Mass of the Holy Ghost by having it at 9 a. m. on the morning before the

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Feast and to continue the Discussio Meritorum after the Mass.
On the morning of Wednesday, May 25th, his Paternity, the Very Rev. Fr. President celebrated Solemn High Mass of the Holy Chost "pro re gravi" in the public Church. Very Rev. Frs. Sebastian and Francis acted as Deacon and Sub-deacon respectively, and the Very Rev. Fr. Alexis as Master of Ceremonies. The other offices of the High Mass were fulfilled by the Capitular Fathers as is customary with us.
THIRD SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers assembled at 10-30 on the morning of May 25th, and continued the Discussio Meritorum.
At 3 p.m., all the Capitular Fathers assembled in choir with the Community for Vespers. The Very Rev. Fr. Francis delivered an address, taking for his text; " Sanctify yourselves and be ye holy, because I am MEXI MEXI the Lord your God. Keep my precepts, and do them. I am the Lord that sanctify you." (Lev. X, 7-8.)
After treating of personal sanctity, and how imitation of Christ in his teaching and example is essential for its acquisition, he wnt on to explain the origin and development of the Religious Life in general and of the Passioniat Life in particular, which had been made known in the first Chapter of our Holy Rule. That the duty of every Superior is to see that the Rule is observed. Hence the chief quality of every Superior is to keep the Rule himself and to see that others keep it. For this end, three things are essential :- Piety, Prudence and Zeal.
Piety, that is, personal holiness. A Superior must be an example to his brethren. Hence in selecting anyone to office

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the Capitular Fathers must look for this first qualification.
Prudence, in the second place, is necessary for the happy exercise of authority, - prudence, that moral virtue which dictates what is to be done inall circumstances, so that every thing may be conformable to right reason. This prudence does not consist in astuteness, nor is it an unnecessary solicitude about temporal things; it is prudence, which in the first place dictates to a Superior to provide for the necessities of the Religious Life, and in the second place, for the needs and comforts of the Community, according to the spirit and letter of our Institute.
And, lastly, zeal must be looked for in a Superior, zeal-that burning fire that lives upon work for the glory of God. Superiors must be zealous with a holy zeal for the sanctification of their Community, helping all by word and example. They should be zealous for the Holy Rule, ceaseless in their efforts to have it observed, fearless to correct abuses. They should be zealous for the regular observance, especially the choir observance, and finally have a zeal for souls in general. Our zeal must be true and according to knowledge. Whatever is done, whatever is undertaken, it must be according to the spirit and the letter of our Holy Rule which for us is the Law of Holiness.
May God grant that through the prayers of our Holy Founder no false zeal should, now or in the future, endanger the life and vigour, according to the Rule of St. Paul of the Cross, of our Holy Mother the Congregation of this our young Province of St. Patrick.

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FOURTH SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers again assembled at 4-30 p.m. During this session the Discussio Meritorum having been concluded, the items on the agenda came up for discussion.
The Very Fr Francis and Bernard read their reports on the Financial Statements and certificates. These they declared that they found to be correct.
FIFTH SESSION.
At 9 a. m. the Capitular Fathers and all the Religious of the Retreat assembled in the Choir, the Very Rev. Fr. President vested in surplies and white stole and bearing the Grucifix, intoned the "Vexilla Regis", which was taken up by all the Religious, who then walked in processional order to the Chapter Room. All having arrived there, and the hymn having been concluded, the usual versicles and prayers were sung by the President, who then dismissed in the prescribed form, those having no active voice, while the Capitulars remained. The Very Rev. Fr. President then gave a practical and fervent address to the Capitulars. He reminded them of the work now to be done For several sessions they had been considering the qualifications of those eligible for office. The time had now come to elect Superiors for the next three years. Much was expected from the young Province of St. Patrick in Ireland, - the land of St. Patrick, which had given so many saints to the Church. The Congregation looked to this Province for holy Fassionists, men who will keep the Rule. Hence so much depends upon the Superiors about to be elected, since their duty is to see that the Rules is kept. By this oath we are about to take, we are bound in

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conscience to elect those whom we judge best suited. Creat
therefore is the responsibility placed upon each Capitular
Father. Do your duty, -in the presence of God,- as our Holy
Founder would wish us to do it.
Capitulars
The names of the Capitulars were then called by the Secret-
-ary of the Chapter, each answering "Adsum!"
Very Rev. Fr. Buonaventure of the Assumption of the B.V.M.,
Ist Consultor General.
Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian of the Immaculate Conception, Provincial.
Very Rev. Fr. Francis of the VII Dolours, Ist Prov. Consultor.
Very Rev. Fr. Bernard of the Immac. Concept., 2nd Prov. Cons.
Very Rev. Fr. Adrian of the VII Dolours, Rector, St Paul's Rt.
Very Rev. Fr. Colman of the VII Dolours, Rector, St Mungo's Rt.
Very Rev. Fr. Thomas of St Joseph, Rector, Holy Cross Rt.
Very Rev. Fr. Kieran of the VII Dolours, Rector, St Gabriel's Rt
Very Rev. Fr. Alexis of the Mother of Sorrows, Rector, Rt of
Mary Immac.
Very Rev. Fr. Gerald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Master of
Novices.
The Very Rev. Fr. President then intoned the "Veni Creator"
which having been sung by the Capitulars, was followed by the
versicles and prayers. The usual acts of humility were then
performed and the seals of office were handed in. The Very Rev.
Fr. President imparted the " Absolutio ad Cauteliam " to all,
he himself receiving it from the Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian,
(Provincial). After this, the Very Rev. Frs. Adrian and Alexis
were elected Scrutineers, and the first Scrutineer, the Very
Rev. Fr. Adrian received from the President the faculty of
publishing the Decress of Election, which being done, the
President and the Scrutineers took the oath "de secreto servando"
All the Capitulars took the

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All the Capitulars took the following oath:- " Testor Christum Dominum, qui me iudicaturus est, me electurum quem secundum Deum, iudico eligi debere." After the administration, of this oath, the election of the Provincial was proceeded with.
At the third scrutiny, the Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian of the Immac. Concept. was elected Provincial. The election was framed and published in the prescribed form by the first Scrutineer. The newly elected returned thanks to the Capitulars for the confidence reposed in him and signified his acceptance.
Immediately afterwards, the Capitulars proceeded to the other elections, and the following were elected, the election in each case being framed and published in the usual way:- Very Rev. Fr. Francis, of the VII Dolours, 1st Consultor at the 2nd scrutiny. Very Rev. Fr. Kieran of the VII Dolours, 2nd Consultor at the 4th scrutiny.
At this point, the Community was summoned to the Chapter Room, and they most heartily offered the newly elected Provincial their obedience and also their congratulations. After some interval, the Capitulars and Community repaired to the Church where Solemn Benediction was given and a "Te Deum" was sung in thanksgiving.
SIXTH SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers returned to the Chapter Room at 3-30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26th, and immediately proceeded to the other elections. The following were elected, the election in each case being framed and published in the prescribed form:- Very Rev. Fr. Michael of the Sorrowful Virgin, Master of Novices, at the 2nd scrutiny.

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The above was communicated with and signified his acceptance.
Very Rev. Fr. Adrian of the VII Dolours, Rector of St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, at the 6th scrutiny.
Very Rev. Fr. Colman of the VII Dolours, Rector of St Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow, at the 7th scrutiny.
Very Rev. Fr. Thomas of St. Joseph, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Arloyne, at the 6th scrutiny.
Very Rev. Fr. Alexis of the Mother of Sorrows, Rector of St. Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen, at the IIth scrutiny.
Very Rev. Fr. Cronan of the Sorrowful Virgin, Rector of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Drum-mohr, Edinburgh, at the 2nd scrutiny.
All the above newly elected signified their acceptance. Fr.
Cronan was communicated with and signified his acceptance.
SEVENTH SESSION.
At 9-30 on the morning of Friday May 27th, the Capitular Fathers again assembled in the Chapter Room. The Acts of the Chapter were read and amended. At this session, the Ven. Chapter recommended that, in comformity with the Decree of the last General Chapter "On the Ministry", the Directorium of the Mission be revised by the Provincial and his Consultors, and be submitted to the General Curia for approbation. The question of founding a new house in the South or West of Ireland was considered.
EIGHT SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers returned to the Chapter Room at 3-30 p.m. During this session, the Ven. Chapter, having carefully considered the great likelihood of the field immediately opposite and adjoining St. Patrick's Retreat, Belfast being sold and the moral certainty that an undesirable of houses would be erected thereon, in the near future, directs the Very Rev.

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Fr. Provincial and his Consultors to make immediate investigations with a view of purchasing the property.
Among other items discussed, the Ven. Chapter considered the unfinished state of our Church at Mount Argus. It expressed the hope that the day may not be far distant when the Province will be in a condition to complete the work.
The Ven. Chapter also directed that the local Superiors provide confessionals near the Choir for the Confession of the Religious.
The President then enquired if there was war any other matters to be discussed, and being answered in the negative, he said that although he could now bring the Chapter to a close, he preferred to wait until the 9-30 on the following morning, when the Fathers would meet to append their signatures to the Acts of the Chapter, so that in the meantime he wishes on me the Secretary might have them completed. In the meantime, he wished on behalf of the Capitulars to thank the Father Secretary for the faithful manner in which he discharged his office. He wished also to thank the Fathers for the work they had done during the Chapter. The message he would bring back to Father General would be: The importance the Chapter placed upon fidelity to the Rule.
The mind of the Most Rev. Fr. Leo in petitioning the Holy See to erect this Province of St Patrick was that the Rule Might be observed with greater fidelity and exactness. To do this the Superiors should walk before the others in keeping the Rule so that the rest might follow. This Chapter shows the mind of the Superiors; that in going back to their respective Retreats

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they were determined to keep the Rule. That was the message which he (the President) would take back to Fr General. If the Rule be faithfully kept he felt confident that the young Province of St. Patrick would be one of the most flourishing in the Congregation.
The Very Rev. Fr. Provincial, in reply, said he knew he was expressing the mind of the Capitulars in asking Fr. President to convey to the Most Rev. Fr. General their sincere thanks in appointing him (the Very Rev. Fr. Buonaventure) to preside at this Chapter. We are grateful for the wisdom and tact you have shown in helping us in our discussions. We are also grateful for the extreme kindness you have displayed to all of us during your brief stay amongst us. We assure you that we wish to become good Passionists and to keep our Holy Rule. This is the mind of the brethren of this Province. Once again dowe wish to express our thanks to Fr. General in delegating you to preside at our Chapter and we assure you to preside and we assure you that we will do our best to become true sons of St Paul of the Cross.
The session then closed.
NINTH SESSION.
At 9-30 on the morning of Saturday, May 28th, the Ven. Chapter assembled for its final session. The Secretary again read the entire Acts of the Chapter. At the request of the newly elected Superiors, the Very Rev. Fr. President confirmed the elections, which confirmation is herewith attached:-
Austoritate mihi in hac parte commissa, Electiones
Rectorum Magistrique Novitiorum confirmo. Decreta autem

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edita, tenore Commissionis meae ad Reverendissimum Patrem
Generalem referenda sunt.
Buonaventura ab Assumpt.'
Imma Cons. Generalis.
Dublini, 28 Maii 1932.
The Very Rev. Fr. President declared the Chapter closed and invited
the Capitulars to sign the Acts etc.
(SIGNED):-
Buonaventura ab Assumpt., Primus Consultor Generalis.
Sebastian of the Immac. Concept., Provincial.
Francis of the VII Dolours. 1st Prov Consultor.
Bernard of the Immac Concept, '2nd Prov Consultor.
Adrian of the VII Dolours, Rector, St Paul's Rt,
Mount Argus.
Colman of the VII Dolours, Rector, St Mungo's Rt, Glasgo w.
Thomas of St Joseph, Rector, Holy Cross Rt, Belfast.
Kieran of the VII Dolours, Rector, St. Gabriel's Rt,
Ennickillen.
Alexis of the Mother of Sorrows, Rector, Rt of Mary Immac,
Musselburgh.
Gerald of the Sacred Heart, Master of Novices.
St. Paul's Retreat,
DUBLIN.
28th Maii 1932.
GERALD OF THE SACRED HEART,
SECRETARY.
SEARCHED INDEXED SERIALIZED FILED JUN 1 1932 APR 1 1932 MAY 1 1932 JUN 1 1932 SERIALIZED INDEXED SERIALIZED FILED RECEIVED SECRETARY