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6/1/4/2
ACTS OF THE FOURTH 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.
JUNE 1938.
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J. X. P.
In compliance with the Convocatory Letter of the Very Rev. Fr. Adrian of the Seven Dolours, Provincial, dated 28th April 1938, and sent to all the Rectors and Superiors of the Province, the Capitular Fathers assembled in St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, on the evening of the 26th June 1938.
FIRST SESSION.
At 9 o'clock on the morning of June 21st the first meeting was held. Most Rev. Fr. Titus of St Paul of the Cross, General, presided, assisted by the Very Rev. Fr. Bonaventure of the Assumption of the B.V.M., Consultor-General, who acted as interpreter. The oath "de secreto servando" was administered to him.
After the customary prayers had been recited, Most Rev. Fr. General addressed the Chapter. His Paternity said:
"With great joy and full of confidence we open the fourth Chapter of your Province. Even though St. Patrick's Province counts but a few years since its Constitution, it nevertheless stands as a mighty tree in the garden of our Congregation, watered by abundant grace and producing flowers and fruit in abundance.
"These fruits are, as writes the Very Rev. Fr. Provincial in his Convocatory Letter, the many young men in the novitiate and in our Houses of Study, the charity which reigns among you and unites subjects and superiors, fidelity to the spirit of our vocation, and the works of the apostolate proper to us and which grow with the days for the salvation of innumerable souls.

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"We may add that to these fruits of grace, accompanied by material prosperity and proper decorum of Churches and Retreats, there is not wanting God's approbation and complacency, as is manifested by the progress of the Cause of Beatification of Fr. Charles of St. Andrew. May we not say that in Fr. Charles, God's Providence wishes to reward our Irish Province and to give you a most powerful advocate and protector.
"For all these reasons we cannot but rejoice and show ourselves grateful to God. At the same time we do well to reflect upon our great responsibility before God and our Congregation, for the further good and progress of the Province in a very great part depends upon the Fathers assembled in Provincial Chapter.
"I have willed to be present personally in this Chapter, not only that I might thus become acquainted with each and every one of you, but also in order that I might have the happiness of rejoicing with you in the great things God is doing through you and might be able to encourage you by word of mouth to do even greater good in the days to come. To assure all this, I bring to you a special blessing of the Holy Father, Christ's Vicar on earth, which I expressly requested for you before leaving Rome, as also the Blessing of our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross, in whose name and under whose protection we now begin the preliminary sessions of this your Fourth Provincial Chapter."
The Chapter then proceeded to elect a "Custos". Most Rev. Fr. President proposed the Rev. Fr. Celsus of the Sacred Heart. He was elected and the Most Rev. Fr. General administered the oath "de secreto servando" to him and gave him instructions concerning his

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office. The Very Rev. Fr. Michael was unanimously chosen Secretary of the Preliminary Sessions.
After this, the certificates of due celebration of Masses and of the keeping of the Archives and the inventories were handed in. The Financial Statements of the various Retreats were read by their respective Rectors. The Very Rev. Fr. Provincial read a financial statement of the Province and of St. Patrick's Retreat, Belfast. Very Rev. Frs. Kieran and Coleman, first and second Consultors respectively were appointed to examine and report on the financial statements and on the other certificates.
The Capitular Fathers then proposed various subjects for discussion. These were classified and an agenda drawn up.
After the Most Rev. Fr. General had administered the oath "de secreto servando", the Discussio Meritorum began. This continued during the remainder of the session.
SECOND SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers re-assembled in the Chapter Room at 4 o'clock. The "Discussio Meritorum" was resumed and continued during this session.
All the Capitulars assisted at the Triduum which began in the Church this evening at 7 o'clock.
THIRD SESSION.
The Chapter assembled at 9 o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, 22nd June. The "Discussio Meritorum" was again resumed and continued during this session.

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FOURTH SESSION.
The Capitulars re-assembled in the Chapter Room at four o'clock. The "Discussio Meritorum" was continued and concluded. In one of the preceding sessions Very Rev. Fr. Dominic renounced his passive voice for reasons of health.
Very Rev. Frs. Kieran and Coleman then handed in the financial statements and the other certificates, reporting all in order.
The Fathers then began the preparatory discussions of subjects on the agenda. This continued until the end of the session.
FIFTH SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers assembled in the Chapter Room on the morning of Thursday, 23rd June. During the whole of the session the terms of the propositions to be discussed after the elections were further elucidated.
At 3 o'clock all the Capitulars assembled in choir with the community for Vespers. After Vespers Very Rev. Fr. Michael gave the Chapter discourse. Taking as his text: "See that thou make all things according to the pattern that was shown thee on the Mount." (Epistle to the Hebrews, VIII,5.), the preacher dwelt on the qualities of the ideal Passionist superior as detailed in our Holy Rule and Regulations and asked all to pray earnestly that religious might be elected superiors who would maintain the spirit of our Holy Founder in the Province of St. Patrick during the coming three years.
SIXTH SESSION.
The Capitulars re-assembled in the Chapter Room at 5 o'clock

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and continued the consideration of subjects on the agenda.
SEVENTH SESSION.
On the morning of Friday, 24th June, Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Most Rev. Fr. General at 8.45 a.m., Frs Kieran and Colman being Deacon and Subdeacon respectively and Fr. Cronan Master of Ceremonies. The offices of thurifer, acolytes, etc., were distributed among the other Capitulars.
At 10.15 the Capitulars and all the Religious of the Retreat assembled in the Choir. Most Rev. Fr. General, vested in surplice and white stole and bearing the Crucifix, intoned the "Vexilla Regis". It was taken up by all the religious who then walked in procession to the Chapter Room. All having arrived there and the hymn having been concluded, the usual versicles and prayers were sung by the Most Rev. Fr. General. After this he dismissed in the prescribed form those having no active voice whilst the Capitulars remained.
Most Rev. Fr. General then gave a fervent address to the Capitulars. His Paternity said:
"We are assembled in the name of our Lord to elect the Superiors who during the coming three years are to govern and to guide the Province and the communities of its various Retreats.
"It is a great honour which God now entrusts to us. All authority is indeed from God. Yet God bestows this authority, this participation with Him in the government of souls on those only whom we shall have chosen by our votes.
"Hence we cannot but be impressed with our responsibility at

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this moment; for, as our Holy Founder writes, it is upon the selection made by the Capitulars Fathers of wise and prudent Superiors depends the perfection of the Religious and the good of the Province and indeed of our Congregation.
"It is our duty therefore, a most grave duty for which we must reneder an account at the Divine Tribunal, to choose those religious who because of their natural qualifications and above all because of their supernatural virtue are the best qualified to be a light and a pattern to our Religious and are qualified to conserve and foster the spirit of our Institute which, as you realize, is the very soul and essential condition of all and any progress amongst us.
"In his Convocatory Letter for the General Chapter held in 1758 our Holy Founder said that our Superiors should be Religious who are assiduous in prayer, exact in the regular observance, lovers of solitude and examples of every virtue to others. These are the principles which must guide us in giving our vote.
"We read recently in one of the Breviary Lessons that when God wished to place a Ruler over Israel "quasivit virum juxta cor suum." He sought out a man according to His heart, one who in all things would strive to carry out God's Holy Will.
"And today the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we too, now that we are about to select the Superiors for the Province and its Retreats, must seek men according to the Heart of Jesus, for only such are those whom our Holy Founder considered worthy to be Superiors amongst us.
"Doing this we shall faithfully perform the onerous duty which

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God's Providence now imposes upon us, and the Province of St. Patrick entrusts to us. Governed and guided by such Superiors, this Province shall continue to prosper and shall produce fruits of holiness and by our proper apostolate give great glory to God and promote the salvation of innumerable souls."
Most Rev. Fr. General then intoned the "Veni Creator" which, having been sung by the Capitulars, was followed by the versicles and prayers. The names of the Capitulars were then called by the Secretary of the Chapter, each answering "Adsum":-
Titus a Sancto Paule a Cruce, Praepositus Generalis et Capituli Praesens.
Hadrianus a Septem Doloribus, Praepositus Provincialis.
Kieranus a Septem Doloribus, I Consultor.
Colmanus a Septem Doloribus, II Consultor.
Cronanus a Virgine Perdolente, Rector, Sti Pauli a Cruce, Dublin.
Paulus Cyrillus ab Infante Jesu, Rector, Sti Kentigerni, Glasgow.
Fabianus a Jesu Crucifixo, Rector, Sti Crucis, Belfast.
Alexius a Matre Dolorosa, Rector, Sti Gabrielis, Enniskillen.
Domenicus ab Immaculata Conceptione, Rector, Mariae Immaculatae, Musselburgh.
Michael a Virgine Perdolente, Magister Novitiorum.
Most Rev. Fr. General then asked the Capitular Fathers whether the Provincial Chapter had been canonically assembled and having received an affirmative answer, he declared the Chapter canonically opened. The usual acts of humility were then performed and the seals of office and the Litterae Patentes were handed in. Most Rev. Fr. General imparted the "Absolutio ad Cautelam" to all, he himself receiving it from the Very Rev. Fr. Adrian, Provincial. The Very Rev. Fr. Michael was elected permanent Secretary of the Chapter. After this the Very Rev. Frs. Fabian and Dominic were elected first and

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second scrutineers respectively. The President and the scrutineers took the oath "de secreto Servando et de munere fideliter adimplendo". All the Capitulars then took the following oath, in reference to the election of the Provincial: "Testor Christum Dominum, qui me juducaturus est, me electurum quem secundum Deum judico eligi debere."
After the administration of this oath, Very Rev. Fr. Kieran, having asked Most Rev. Fr. President's permission to make a declaration to the Chapter, said that he wished to renounce his passive voice as he was not prepared to accept any canonical office.
The election of the Provincial was then proceeded with. At the second scrutiny, the Very Rev. Fr. Adrian of the Seven Dolours was elected. The election was framed and published in the prescribed form by the Second Scrutineer. The newly-elected Provincial thanked the Capitular Fathers for the confidence they reposed in him and assured them that with the help of God and the co-operation of the Religious he would do his utmost to maintain the spirit of our Holy Founder in the Province during the coming three years.
The election of the First Consultor followed. At the 7th scrutiny, Very Rev. Fr. Colam of the Seven Dolours was elected. The election was framed and published in the prescribed form. Very Rev. Fr. Colman thanked Most Rev. Fr. General and the other Capitulars and signified his acceptance of the office.
At this point the Community was summoned to the Chapter Room and they most heartily offered the newly-elected Provincial their obedience and their congratulations.
The Capitular Fathers and the Community then repaired to the

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Church where Solemn Benediction was, given by the newly-elected Provincial and the "Te Deum" was sung in thanksgiving.
EIGHTH SESSION.
The Capitulars re-assembled at 4 o'clock, and proceeded to the other elections after Most Rev. Fr. General had recited the customary prayers.
The following were elected, the election in each case being framed and published in the usual way:-
V. Rev. Fr. Sebastian of the Immaculate Conception, 2nd Consultor, at the 16th scrutiny.V. Rev. Fr. Cronan of the Sorrowful Virgin, Master of Novices at the 6th scrutiny.V. Rev. Fr. Gerald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Rector of St. Paul's Retreat, Dublin at the 6th scrutiny.
The three newly-elected Superiors signified their acceptance, Very Rev. Frs Sebastian and Gerald having being summoned to the Chapter Room.
During this session Very Rev. Fr. Alexis renounced his passive voice.
NINTH SESSION.
The Capitular Fathers re-assembled on the morning of June 25th at 9 o'clock. The customary prayers were said by Most Rev. Fr. President and the Chapter continued the elections.
During this session the following were elected, the election in each case being framed and published in the usual way:- Very. Rev. Fr. Paul Cyril of the Child Jesus, Rector of St. Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow at the 2nd scrutiny.

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Very Rev. Fr. Fabian of Jesus Crucified, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast at the 1st scrutiny.
Very Rev. Fr. Sylvius of our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rector of St. Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen at the 3rd scrutiny.
Very Rev. Fr. Michael of the Sorrowful Virgin, Rector of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Musselburgh at the 3rd scrutiny.
The newly-elected who were present signified their acceptance.
Fr Sylvius was communicated with.
The community were then summoned to the Chapter Room and the Very Rev. Fr. Dominic, Second Scrutineer, read the complete list of elections.
During the remainder of the session the Capitular Fathers discussed the subjects proposed before the elections, formulated decrees and voted on them.
TENTH SESSION.
The Capitulars re-assembled at 4 o'clock. After the usual prayers the Chapter resumed the discussion of subjects which had been proposed before the elections. Decrees were drawn up and voted upon.
During this session Most Rev. Fr. Eresident read a telegram from Rev. Fr. Sylvius signifying his acceptance of the Rectorship of St. Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen.
When the discussion of the subjects on the agenda had concluded, portion of the Acts of the Chapter were read and amended. The session closed at 7 o'clock.

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ELEVENTH SESSION.
The Capitulars assembled at 9 o'clock on the morning of June 27th. After the usual prayers the Secretary continued the reading of the Acts of the Chapter which were amended and approved of by the Chapter.
In this final session the Capitulars Fathers expressed their deep gratitude to God that the long-cherished hope of the Province had at last been realised in the completion of the Church at Mount Argus. Further satisfaction was expressed with the extension of the Retreat at Mount Argus and the completion of the Retreat at Enniskillen.
Most Rev. Fr. President then asked the Capitular Fathers if there were any other matters to be discussed and being answered in the negative, he put the further question if the Chapter could now be canonically closed. To this question all the Capitulars replied in the affirmative.
Most Rev. Fr. General then addressed the assembled Fathers, saying, that now as we are about to bring this, the 4th Provincial Chapter of the Province to a close we owe thanks to God for His assistance, so generously bestowed during these days. He it is who has illumined and guided the Capitular Fathers in their deliberations and capitular activities.
The Most Rev. Fr. President said that he had special reasons for being thankful to God, for he is happy to testify that the charity, the harmony and peace that reigned during all the sessions of the Chapter and the zeal manifested to further the interests of

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of our Congregation, but confirmed the impressions he had received when he met the Religious in the various Houses of the Province.
He congratulated the Superiors elected to govern and guide the Province and Houses; and expressed his confidence that those who now take up the offices, for which they have been chosen, will, like their predecessors, strive to conserve and to foster the spirit which our Holy Founder has left to us and which our first Fathers handed down to us.
The Most Rev. Fr. President said that all our success as individual Passionists and as a body working in the Church of God depended upon our living true to our proper spirit; that we can aptly use the words of Holy Scripture: "Venerant mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa", and say with all truth that if the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross - that spirit which he bequeathed to his children - animates us, we shall succeed in the work God has entrusted to us. Thus this Province of St. Patrick shall in its members and in its works shine before God and man.
Proposing a vote of thanks to the Most Rev. Fr. President, Very Rev. Fr. Adrian, Provincial, said it was his most pleasant duty to offer to his Paternity the deepest gratitude of the Capitulars for coming to preside at our Fourth Provincial Chapter. In spite of his world-wide duties, he had come to the Province of St. Patrick to give us the benefit of his holiness, his wisdom, his tact and his great knowledge as President of the Chapter. Both the religious in the various houses he had visited before the Chapter and all the Fathers on the Chapter recognised in him a very worthy successor of our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross, On behalf of the whole Province,

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Fr. Provincial wished his Paternity God-speed on his journey to other Provinces and assured him of the love and esteem of the Religious of the Province of St. Patrick.
In conclusion, Fr. Provincial said that he wished to include in his vote of thanks Very Rev. Fr. Bonaventure, Consultor-General, who had so ably and kindly assisted Most Rev. Rr. General during the Chapter.
After this all the Capitular Fathers signed the Acts of the Chapter.

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DECREES OF THE FOURTH PROVINCIAL CHAPTER OF THE PROVINCE
OF SAINT PATRICK.
DECREE I. Considering the state of preservation of the body of Father Paul Mary Pakenham when it was transferred to its present resting-place, the Venerable Chapter recommends that, the necessary permissions and instructions having been obtained, the Rector of St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, in conjunction with the Provincial Curia, have the body re-examined with a view to a separate and more suitable interment.
DECREE II. The Venerable Chapter urges Superiors to be vigilant that the silence prescribed among us be scrupulously observed; that our priests be faithful in making the prescribed half-hour's preparation for and thanksgiving after the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; that the examens and Friday Chapters be regularly held and that in regard to privileges permitted after works of the ministry our missionaries abide by what is laid down in the Directory for Missions.
DECREE III. The Venerable Chapter exhorts Superiors to have a special care of our younger brothers finally professed in accordance with paragraphs 265 and 266 of our Regulations.
DECREE IV. The Venerable Chapter decrees that the provisions of paragraph 107 of our Regulations forbidding any religious of our Congregation to print or publish anything whatsoever without the

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previous revision, appropriation and in express permission of the Higher Superiors be extended to broadcasting whether of music, lectures, or sermons.
DECREE V. The Venerable Chapter is most desirous that the religious of St. Patrick's Province, in conformity with the prescript of paragraph 209 of our Holy Rule, should commence to help as soon as possible in the foreign missionary field. It directs the Provincial Curia to proceed during the coming three years to the selection and equipment of at least a small band of foreign missionaries so as to be in a position to communicate with the General Curia regarding a suitable foreign missionary field.
DECREE VI. The Venerable Chapter decrees that, as soon as feasible, the course of studies in the Alumniate be extended to at least four years.
DECREE VII. Considering the present canonical status of Atheyparish of Ardoyne, the Venerable Chapter directs the Provincial Curia in conjunction with the Rector to examine the question and report their findings and recommendations to the General Curia.
DECREE VIII. The Venerable Chapter bearing in mind the insecure tenure of our foundation at Drum-mohr, Musselburgh, urges the Provincial Curia to take such steps as are deemed necessary to secure a permanent foundation in the Archdiocese of St Andrew's and Edinburgh, preferably within the confines of the present parish of Drum-mohr.

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DECREE IX. The Venerable Chapter decrees that inall our Retreats in Scotland the three Hail Marys after Complin or in the Church during Benediction be recited for the conversion of Scotland and that Most Rev. Fr. General be requested to obtain the necessary extension of the Indulgence already granted for similar prayers for the conversion of England.

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Filius a S. Daulo a Gues Diac. Gently Capt. Luis Diaces
Hadvianus a sptem telorilens Proponsus Provincialis
Kievanus a vii Dolorbius Primus Consultor.
Lohmanus a vii Relorbus Secundus Lonsultus
Cronanus a V. perdolente Rector. Recessus S. Pauli a Gues.
Paulus Lynthus ab Infante Jun. Rector Recessus S. Klentigenni.
Fabianus a Jesu Crucifixis Rector. Recessus Sanctae Crucis
Alexius aulatis Doc. Rectis Recessus S. Sabali
Dominius ab Inn. Conceptione, Rector Recessus Mariae Immaculatae.
euchael a Vij Sedolente, euagistes et voniteorum.
S. D.P.
Electorius Relorum et Uppistis Uorthio-
num ueonou de oreta processutis Co-
gitus nata habentur et Confer-
mantur.
Debleni, die 27 Juni 1938
My a S. Daulo a Gues
Diac. Gently Capt. Luis Diaces