--- Page 1 --- JESU XPI PASSIO 6/1/63 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ACCTS AND DECREES OF THE SIXTH 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 SEPTEMBER, 1944 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX --- Page 2 --- JESU CHRISTI PASSIO. ACTS OF THE SIXTH PROVINCIAL CHAPTER OF THE PROVINCE OF ST. PATRICK XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Presuming the permission of Most Rev. Father General, the Sixth Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick had been called for 12th June by a Circular Letter of Very Rev. Fr. Gerald of the Sacred Heart, Provincial, issued on 17th March, 1944. Later, Most Rev. Father General approved of the holding of the Chapter, and appointed Very Rev. Father Brendan of the Seven Dolours, the Provincial of St. Joseph's Province as his deputy and President of the Chapter. Owing, however, to the fact that the President of the Chapter, and the Rectors of St. Mungo's Retreat and the Retreat of Mary Immaculate were unable to obtain their Passports on account of the regulations on Travel between Ireland and Great Britain, the Chapter had to be postponed. These restrictions were later relaxed, and the Sixth Provincial Chapter met, eventually, on 4th September 1944. The Tridum for the Chapter began on that evening. --- Page 3 --- - 2 - FIRST SESSION At 9 o'clock on the morning of 5th September the first meeting of the Capitular Fathers was held. Very Rev. Father Gerald, Provincial, read a telegram which had been received from Most Rev. Father General appointing Very Rev. Father Brendan President of the Sixth Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick. On behalf of the Capitular Fathers and of all the other Religious of St. Patrick's Province, Fr. Provincial welcomed Father Brendan as President of our Chapter. He expressed the pleasure which the news of his appointment gave to the members of this Province. He was a worthy representative of Most Rev. Father General, and his long and wide experience in the various Offices of the Congregation would be of immense help to us in the important deliberations of the next few days. After the customary prayers, the Very Rev. President addressed the Chapter in the following words:- " I feel that anything I can say on this occasion will do but scant justice to your own measure of the importance of the work that lies before you. It is only natural to expect, that with your intimate knowledge of the Province, of condition and circumstance, of difficulty and even problem, common in kind to every Province throughout the world, yet none the less proper to each in their peculiar bearing on the life of each Province, as in their ultimate solution, your interest in this your own Chapter is so very real, that few words of exhortation are called for." " Yet, it is, perhaps, well to remind ourselves of the importance of a Chapter in the life of a Province; indeed, there is no event more important. Not even the General Chapter of an Order, Congregation or Institute, has quite the same claim on the interest of the Members of a Province, or can itself exercise such intimate influence over the Members of a Province or its affairs, as a Chapter specially convoked to deal with the affairs of a particular Province and to legislate for it. So our responsibility, and it is a grave one, is to the Province, whose interests and well-being are in our hands these days. " Fr. Pius Devine, some where in the life of Ignatius Spencer, refers to the Provincial Chapter as 'that most disturbing event in the life of a Province'. Written in a sense of humour, and likely to be understood by his own Brethren --- Page 4 --- - 3 - at that time, his words are none the less filled with wisdom, that few will question. They are certainly true to the fact, that there was never yet a Chapter worthy of the name, in which this element of disturbance was not in some way manifest. For, it is of the nature of these Chapters to strive after the betterment of the life and spirit of a Province, however worthy and prosperous it may seem. So the Church finds in this disturbance and change, a virtue which is not unrecognised in the most human of institutions, whereby the spirit of even human enterprise is renewed, and a fresh start given. The wisdom of the Church is therefore apparent in her legislating for these Chapters. By and through them, she legislates not merely for the life of a generation, or for a work, however important, destined to last only for a time, but for the very life of an Order, or Congregation, or Institute, that having been approved by her, enters into her own life, and is destined like her to survive the ravages of time, and to last, with her, to the end of time. So, the vital significance of the Chapter to its Province - the Church's own meaning - the head working through its members, and flowing into the life-stream of the Province, stirring it, quickening it, and strengthening it. "May, therefore, our Chapter prove worthy of the Church's own meaning in it; may its every Act, Decree and Election be influenced and guided by the thought of the sacredness of the trust it implies, the trust of the Church of God in us; and may this Province be the better for our labours during these days of Chapter." The Chapter then proceeded to elect a "Custos". Very Rev. Fr. President proposed the Rev. Fr. Placid of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was elected unanimously and was called to the Chapter Room where the Oath "de secreto servando" was administered. Very Rev. Fr. President instructed him in the duties of his office. The Very Rev. Fr. Peter Paul of VII Dolours was then elected Secretary of the Preliminary Sessions. A telegram of greeting from the members of the Chapter was despatched to Most Rev. Father General by Very Rev. Father Brendan, President. The Certificates of the Celebration of Masses, the keeping of the Archives and the other documents, which Father Provincial had ordered to be brought to the Chapter, were handed in. The Rectors of the various Retreats each read his Financial Statement. Very Rev. Father Provincial read the Financial Statement of the Province and that of St. Patrick's Retreat, Belfast. Very Rev. Fathers Paul Cyril and Cronan were appointed to examine and report on the Statements and the --- Page 5 --- - 4 - other Certificates. The Capitular Fathers then proposed various subjects for discussion at the Chapter, and an Agenda was drawn up. Very Rev. Fr. President then administered to all present the oath "de secreto servando" and the "discussio meritorum" commenced - Capitulars first. The discussion continued during the remainder of this Session. SECOND SESSION The Capitular Fathers met at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, 5th September. After the preliminary prayers the "discussio meritorum" continued; and it was concluded at this Session. The Capitulars then began the consideration of the subjects on the Agenda which had been drawn up at the previous meeting. This continued till 7 o'clock when all repaired to the Church to take part in the Chapter Tridum. THIRD SESSION The Capitular Fathers assembled at 9 o'clock on Wednesday, 6th September. Owing to illness, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Cyril was not present. The discussions on the different Subjects on the Agenda were continued. Plans for the new house at Collooney were considered at this Session. The Venerable Chapter warmly welcomed the news of the new foundation of St. Joseph's Retreat in the Diocese, off Achonry, and was grateful to His Lordship the Bishop for all his kindness to us. As the Retreat, in its present state, is not suitable for occupation by a Community, plans for its re-conditioning and future development were discussed. --- Page 6 --- - 5 - The Chapter expressed the hope that the house be prepared for a full Community as soon as possible. The Capitular Fathers also welcomed the news that His Lordship the Bishop of Galloway had graciously invited us to accept a foundation in his Diocese. FOURTH SESSION At 4 o'clock on Wednesday, 6th September, the Capitular Fathers re-assembled. Father Paul Cyril was absent. Other propositions on the Agenda were dealt with. The formulation of the Recommendations and Decrees to be presented to the Capitulars, after the Elections, was continued. All attended the Chapter Tridum which ended to-day. FIFTH SESSION All the Capitular Fathers, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Cyril excepted, came to the Chapter Room at 9 o'clock on Thursday, 7th September. Final drafts of the Recommendations and Decrees of the Chapter were made and others were discussed and clarified. At this Session the Financial Statements and other Certificates were handed back to the President and were declared to be in order. SIXTH SESSION At 4 o'clock on Thursday, 7th September, the Capitular Fathers met for further discussions on the Acts and Decrees to be presented to the Chapter. Very Rev. Fr. Paul Cyril was not present. At 6.45 p.m., after the Chanting of Compline, a very instructive and --- Page 7 --- - 6 - interesting Discourse was preached in Choir by Very Rev. Father Fabian of Jesus Crucified, Master of Novices. Taking as his text "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one cometh to the Father but by me" (John XIV - 6), the preacher pointed out that sanctity was to be looked for in our choice of Superiors. Although this was the essential qualification, the temporal welfare of the Congregation should not be overlooked. The qualities required for "a leader in Israel" are laid down in the Book of Exodus, in the advice given to Moses by his kinsman - "Provide put of all the people able men, such as fear God, in whom there is truth, and that hate avarice, and appoint them Rulers." What better qualifications could be sought for in the selection of a Superior? Having explained these qualities in detail, the preacher exhorted the Fathers to select from the Brethren, Superiors of ability "such as fear God, in whom there is truth, and that hate avarice"; Religious who are prepared to carry out, in their own conduct and government, the simple Rules laid down for their guidance by Our Holy Founder himself - Rules "based on the lights God had given him in prayer, and on the long experience and knowledge he acquired in the government of the Congregation". "For" he says "on the right and prudent gaverment conduct of Superiors depends not only the right and prudent government of the Retreats, but also the greater perfection of the entire Congregation." S E V E N T H S E S S I O N At 8.45 on Friday, 8th September, the Feast of Our Lady's Nativity, Solemn High Mass was sung by the Very Rev. Father Brendan, President of the Chapter, with Very Rev. Fr. Colman as Deacon, and Very Rev. Fr. Cronan as Subdeacon. --- Page 8 --- - 7 - Very Rev. Fr. Adrian was Master of Ceremonies. The other offices were distributed among the Capitulars. At 10.30 on the same morning the Capitulars and the Religious of St. Paul's Retreat assembled in the Choir, Very Rev. Fr. President, 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 Very Rev. Fr. President. After this he dismissed, in the prescribed form, those having no active voice, whilst the Capitulars remained. The Very Rev. Fr. President then addressed the Capitulars. Referring to the solemnity of this Session - in which, he reminded them, they were about to enter upon the Chapter proper - he exhorted, them, most fervently, to elect worthy Superiors, in whose hands the safety and well-being of the Province, for the next three years, would be assured. "Three years since the last Chapter have passed quickly," he said "three years are but a brief term in the life of a Province. Yet this life is counted by us in a succession of these terms, and each term leaves a Province the stronger or the weaker in its passing." "So he continued "our responsibility to God and our Brethren is a grave one. By very right of their vocation, our Brethren look to us to see that so far as in us lies, they to be chosen in this Chapter shall be men worthy of the most Sacred Trust." "The virtues given in our Holy Rule as our guide in these elections, are" he said "prudence, charity, and (if one may express those special qualities by which the Passionist Superior should be signalised) love of the --- Page 9 --- - 8 - Congregation and of its Rule. One cannot express them more fittingly than by the virtue of sincerity of life. How necessary these virtues are in those called to rule a Province or a Community! They are the virtues" he added "by which a man disciplines his own life; they are the virtues by which Alone a man can hope to influence the lives of others." "To-day" concluded the President "we celebrate the tender Feast of the birth of God's own Virgin Mother. On this Feast, our Chapter by happy coincidence is being held. A birth-day and a Chapter! The suggestion of a link, one between the other, is one that may appeal to us. For what have our efforts been throughout these days, but a striving towards the rebirth or renewal of the Spirit of the Province we all love." ..... The Very Rev. President then intoned the "Veni Creator" which, having been sung, was followed by the Versicles and Prayers. The names of the Capitulars were then called by the Secretary, each answering "Adsum" :- Brendanus a Septem Doloribus (Praeses) Geraldus a Sacro Corde Jesu, Praepositus Provincialis. Paulus Cyrillus ab Infante Jesu, Primus Consultor. Cronanus a Virgine Perdolente, Secundus Consultor. Hadrianus a Septem Doloribus, Rector Recessus Sti Pauli a Cruce, Dublin. Colmanus a Septem Doloribus, Rector Recessus Sti Kentigerni, Glasgow. Petrus Paulus a Septem Doloribus, Rector Recessus Stae Crucis, Belfast. Terentius a Domina Nostra de Perpetuo Succursu, Rector Recessus Sti Gabrielis, Enniskillen. Michael a Virgine Perdolente, Rector Recessus Mariae Immaculatae, Musselburgh. Fabianus a Jesu Crucifixo, Magister Novitiorum. --- Page 10 --- - 9 - The Very Rev. President 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. The Very Reverend Fr. President imparted the "Absolutio ad cautelam" to all, he himself receiving it from Very Rev. Fr. Gerald, Provincial. Very Rev. Fr. Peter Paul was elected permanent Secretary of the Chapter. After this Very Rev. Fathers Terence and Fabian were elected First and Second Scrutineers respectively. The President and the Scrutineers took the oath "de secreto servando et de manere fideliter adimplendo". All the Capitulars then took the following oath, in reference to the election of the Father Provincial ; - "Testor Christum Dominum, qui me judicaturus est, me electurum quem secundum Deum judice elegi debere". The election of the Provincial was then preceded with. Very Rev. Father Gerald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was elected at the First Scrutiny. The Very Rev. Fr. Gerald accepted the Office, thanked the Capitulars for the honour conferred on him, and while fully aware of the responsibilities which the Office imposed, assured them that with God's help, he would do his utmost, during the coming three years, as he had tried to do during the term just ended, to maintain the Spirit of our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Gross, in the Province of St. Patrick. After the election of the Father Provincial, the Community was summoned to the Chapter Room, and offered the newly elected Provincial their obedience and congratulation. The Capitular Fathers and the Community of St. Paul's Retreat left the Chapter Room and assembled in the Church where Solemn Benediction of the Blessed --- Page 11 --- - 10 - Sacrament was given by the newly-elected Provincial, and the Te Deum was sung in thanksgiving. EIGHTH SESSION At 4 o'clock on the evening of Friday, 8th September, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, the Capitular Fathers re-assembled in the Chapter Room. After the usual prayers they proceeded with the other elections. The following were elected, the election in each case being framed and published in the traditional manner ;- Very Rev. Fr. Cronan of the Sorrowful Virgin - First Consultor at the 9th scrutiny.Very Rev. Fr. Paul Cyril of the Infant Jesus - Second Consultor at the 6th scrutiny.Very Rev. Fr. Fabian of Jesus Crucified - Master of Novices at the 1st scrutiny.Very Rev. Fr. Adrian of the Seven Dolours - Rector of St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin at the 2nd scrutiny.Very Rev. Fr. Frederick of the Sorrowful Virgin - Rector of St. Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow at the 6th scrutiny.Very Rev. Fr. Peter Paul of the VII Dolours - Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast, at the 2nd scrutiny.Very Rev. Fr. Terence of Our Lady of Per. Succ. - Rector of St. Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen at the 4th scrutiny.Very Rev. Fr. Sylvius of Our Lady of Per. Succ. - Rector of Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Musselburgh at 6th scrutiny. ..... All those elected to Office, who were present, signified their acceptance. Fr. Frederick was not in the Retreat, as he was preaching in one of the Diocesan Churches. The Secretary was instructed to communicate with Fr. Sylvius and the Session ended NOTARY FOR THE SESSION --- Page 12 --- → 11 - NINTH SESSION The Capitular Fathers met in the Chapter Room on the morning of Saturday, 8th September, at 10 o'clock. Very Rev. Fr. Frederick was summoned to attend and signified his acceptance of the Rectorship of St. Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow. A Telegram from Very Rev. Fr. Sylvius to the Secretary, accepting the Rectorship of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Musselburgh, was read to the Capitular Fathers. The Community of St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus were then called to the Chapter Room, and Very Rev. Fr. Fabian, Second Scrutineer, read a complete list of the elections held at the Sixth Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick. The Capitular Fathers held further discussions on the Acts, Decrees and Recommendations to be signed at the concluding Session of the Chapter, and corrections and amendments were made. TENTH SESSION The Capitular Fathers assembled for the last Session of our Sixth Provincial Chapter on the morning of Monday, 10th September, at 9 o'clock. After the customary prayers the Secretary read the Acts and Decrees of the Chapter, which were amended and approved by the Capitulars. Very 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. He then --- Page 13 --- - 12 - addressed the Capitulars. He said that the blessing of God seemed to be on the Chapter which had just ended. It was, indeed, a very happy gathering and all that happened seemed to have been done for the good of the Province. It had been for him, he said, a very happy time indeed. The General himself or one of his Consultors presided, as a rule, at Provincial Chapters, but, owing to war conditions, this had been impossible at this Chapter. Thus, this was probably the last time that a Provincial from St. Joseph's Province would preside at the Chapter of St. Patrick's Province. For him, he said, it had been a great pleasure and a great privilege. He would venture to say that there was no one had better wishes towards the Province of St. Patrick than he had, and he hoped that the Superiors elected at this Chapter, would do all in their power to foster, in this Province, during the coming three years, the Spirit of Our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross. ..... Replying to Very Rev. Fr. President, Very Rev. Fr. Gerald, Provincial, thanked the President for the manner in which he performed his important and onerous task. At the beginning of the Chapter he had promised the Very Rev. President the whole-hearted co-operation of the Capitular Fathers, and he thought that the questions proposed, and the Decrees passed, testified to this co-operation, and proved that the Capitular Fathers had at heart, the spiritual and material welfare of the Province of St. Patrick. At the beginning of the Chapter he had also mentioned, that Fr. Brendan's wide experience would be a great help to us, and we had not been disappointed. His wisdom, prudence, tact and charity had been of immense assistance to us during the past few days.. On behalf of the Capitular Fathers, and of all the Religious of the Province of St. --- Page 14 --- - 13 - Patrick, he wished to offer him our deepest thanks and sincerest gratitude. He would in conclusion, ask very Rev. Fr. Brendan, our President, to convey to Most Rev. Fr. General, the Successor of St Paul of the Cross, from all the Religious of the Province of St. Patrick, sentiments of our loyalty, obedience and esteem. Then the Capitular Fathers signed the Acts and Decrees: - Brendanus a Septem Doloribus, Praeses. Geraldus a S. Corde Jesu, Praepositus Provincialis. Paulus Cyrillus ab Infante Jesu, Primus Cons. Cronanus a V. Perdolente, Secundus Consultor. Nadrianus a Sept. Doloribus, Rector Sti Pauli a Cruce. Colmanus a VII Doloribus, Rector Sti Kentigerni. Petrus Paulus a VII Doloribus, Rector Stae Crucis. Terentius a Nostra Domina de P. Succ, Rector Sti Gabrielis. Michael a V. Perd., Rector Mariae Immaculatae Fabianus a Jesu Crucifixo, Magister Maxitianum Novitiorum. Thus concluded the Sixth Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick, held in St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, in the month of September, and in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-four. (Signed): Peter Paul of VII Dolours, 11th September, 1944. Secretary,. ..... Confirmation of the Elections: Auctoritate mihi in hac parte concessa, Electiones Rectorum., Magistrique Novitiorum confirmo. Decreta autem edita, tenore commisionis meae ad Reverendissimum Patrem Generalem referenda sunt. Recessus Sti Pauli a Cruce, Brendanus a Septem Doloribus, Apud Dublin. Praeses Delegatus. 10 September 1944. --- Page 15 --- - 14 - JESU CHRISTI PASSIO DECREES OF THE SIXTH PROVINCIAL CHAPTER OF THE PROVINCE OF ST. PATRICK IMMEDIATE CONSENSUS ON THE DECREES I The Venerable Chapter, legislating against the possible abuse of intoxicating drinks, issues the following Decree, which takes the place of earlier legislation (Decree 43 in our "Compendium of Decrees") :- (a) "That henceforward intoxicating drink is forbidden before dinner, outside the Retreat, except with the permission of the Superior; the same prohibition holds within the Retreat, at all times, except with the same permission."(b) "That Superiors are warned of their grave responsibility in regard to the observance of these prescriptions, and are directed to impose on offenders, suitable penalties." II The Venerable Chapter, after full and sympathetic consideration, recommends to the Provincial Curia, that the work of the Foreign Missions be undertaken as soon as practicable, and that "The Cross" be used as a means of --- Page 16 --- - 15 - promoting, financially and otherwise, the cause of our Foreign Missions. III The Venerable Chapter directs special attention to Paragraph 189 of our Regulations, and to Decree 15 of our "Compendium of Decrees" on the preparation by our young priests of sermons for Missions and Retreats, and desires Superiors concerned to see that the prescriptions therein are carefully followed. Furthermore, the Chapter directs the Provincial Curia to see that our young priests, who have finished their formal study, be provided with books essential for their further studies. IV The Venerable Chapter recommends that the Provincial Curia arrange for the publication, in English, of the Life and Works of Our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross, by Fr. Cajetan, and they feel that the spread of devotion to our Holy Founder and the other Passionist Saints, would be greatly fostered by the wider circulation of objects of devotion pertaining to these Saints. V To encourage the study of Irish, and to enable our priests to conduct Missions and Retreats in Irish, the Venerable Chapter recommends that a certain number of priests, to be selected by the Provincial Curia, be sent to the Gaeltact each year, for a course of studies. VI In view of greater efficiency in Studies, the Venerable Chapter petitions the General Curia to grant permission to our Lectors to have Classes in the --- Page 17 --- - 16 - Ornings on Feasts of the Second Class. VII The Venerable Chapter, while reviewing the condition and progress of our Confraternities, and commending the work done by their respective Directors, recommends that the term of Directorship should not, in ordinary circumstances, exceed three years. (Signed): Peter Paul of VII Dolours, Secretary. Concordat cum originali, Geraldus a S. Corde Jesu. St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. Graepositus Carnavali. 18th September 1944 To be read in the Cheir or the Refectory, all the Religious being present.