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J E S U X P I P A S S I O
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A C T S A N D D E C R E E S
O F T H E
S E V E N T H P R O V I N C I A L C H A P T E R
O F T H E
P R O V I N C E O F S T . P A T R I C K
O F T H E
C O N G R E G A T I O N O F T H E M O S T H O L Y C R O S S A N D P A S S I O N
O F O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T
H E L D I N
S T . P A U L ' S R E T R E A T , M O U N T A R G U S , D U B L I N
J U N E , 1947
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JESU CHRISTI PASSIO
A C T S
O F T H E
S E V E N T H P R O V I N C I A L C H A P T E R
O F T H E
P R O V I N C E O F S T. P A T R I C K
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Summoned by the Convocatory Letter, dated 19th April, 1947, issued by V. Rev. Fr. Gerald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Provincial, the Capitular Fathers of the Province of St. Patrick assembled at St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, on the evening of 5th June (the Feast of Corpus Christi) under the presidiency of Most Rev. Fr. Albert of the Sorrowful Virgin, Superior-General.
The Triduum for the Chapter began on the next day.
F I R S T S E S S I O N
At 9 o'clock on the morning of Friday, 6th June, the first meeting of the Capitular Fathers was held, the customary Prayers having been recited by Most Rev. Fr. General.
The proceedings opened with a short, but warm, expression of welcome addressed to Most Rev. Fr. General by V. Rev. Fr. Gerald, Provincial, on behalf of the Capitulars and the Religious of the Province. Fr. Gerald alluded to the mixed feelings of regret and submission experienced and evinced by all concerned when it was learned, about two

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months previously, that Fr. General, owing to the pressure of urgent work in Rome, would be unable to act as President of the Chapter and that our welcome would have to be extended - albeit warmly and loyally - to V. Rev. Fr. Malcolm, First Consultor-General, who would act as President on Most Rev. Fr. General's behalf. Fr. Provincial then went on to say how very pleased, heartened and honoured the Provincial Curia, the Capitular Fathers and all the Religious of the Province were on hearing - almost on the eve of the Chapter - that, after all, Fr. General himself was coming in person to preside; and, likewise, how much more intimate would be the interest taken and the confidence reposed in every discussion and decision with the successor of our holy Father and Founder present to guide and approve and bless the deliberations of the Chapter. And, summing up the sentiments of all - both present and represented - Fr. Provincial assured His Paternity of the warmth of not only a Passionist, but an Irish Passionist, welcome.
Most Rev. Fr. General, replying in genial and paternal terms, assured the Provincial and Capitulars that the sincerity and warmth of their welcome were equalled, if not exceeded, only by his own genuine joy at being unexpectedly able to preside at the Chapter of a Province very near and dear to his heart. His Paternity described how, at the proverbial eleventh hour, unforeseen and urgent business in another Province of the Congregation claimed the attention and attendance of the First Consultor-General, and how thus - perhaps providentially and certainly happily - he became enabled to do what at first he had been so disappointed in being obliged seemingly to forgo - namely, to

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come for the first time amongst the Religious of the Province of St. Patrick, and for a purpose and on an occasion at once so important and so auspicious. His Paternity added, as a further reason for his pleasure at being able to act as President, that, in coming personally, he was thus fulfilling the wish of the Holy See and the Sacred Congregation of Religious who at present are taking an especial and particularly deep interest in the intimate and internal affairs of all Religious Orders. Fr. General said that he came amongst us without fear or misgiving and full of confidence in finding that the atmosphere of the Passionist ideal and the spirit of our Holy Founder would permeate the Province in general and the Provincial Chapter in particular. Having thanked Fr. Provincial, the Capitular Fathers and the Religious of the Province not only for their words of welcome, but also for their filial evidences of it both in St. Paul's Retreat and also in St. Gabriel's Retreat (which he was happy to have been able to visit hurriedly), His Paternity reminded the Capitular Fathers of the grave responsibility and spiritual importance of the weighty work of the Chapter, and declared the First Preliminary Session formally open.
The Chapter then proceeded to elect a "Custos". Most Rev. Fr. General proposed Rev. Fr. Killian of the MXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Queen of the Most Holy Rosary who was unanimously elected and called to the Chapter-Room, where the Oath "de secreto servando" was administered. Fr. General instructed him in the duties of his office. Likewise, V. Rev. Fr. Austin of Jesus Crucified was proposed by Most Rev. Fr. General as Secretary of the Preliminary Sessions and duly elected.

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The Certificates of the Celebration of Masses, the keeping of the Archives and the other documents which Fr. Provincial had ordered to be brought to the Chapter, were handed in. Each of the Rectors of the various Retreats then read his Financial Statement - Fr. Provincial reading that of the Province and of St. Patrick's Retreat, Belfast. V. Rev. FF. Cronan and Edmund were appointed to examine and report on the Statements and the other Certificates.
The various matters proposed for discussion during the Chapter were then read by the Secretary, and the Agenda approved by all.
Most Rev. Fr. General then administered to all present the Oath "de secreto servando", and the "Discussio Meritorum" commenced Capitulars first. This discussion continued during the remainder of the Session.
S E C O N D S E S S I O N
The Capitular Fathers met at 4 o'clock on Friday afternoon, 6th June. After the preliminary Prayers the "Discussio Meritorum" continued throughout this Session. After supper all repaired to the Church to take part in the Triduum.
T H I R D S E S S I O N
The Capitular Fathers assembled at 9 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, 7th June. After the preliminary Prayers the "Discussio Meritorum" continued and was concluded at this Session.
F O U R T H S E S S I O N
The Capitulars re-assembled at 4 o'clock on the afternoon

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of Saturday, 7th June. At this Session the consideration of the subjects on the Agenda was begun and was continued until the hour for supper - after which all attended the Triduum in the Church.
F I F T H S E S S I O N
At the opening of this Session, after the usual Prayers, Most Rev. Fr. General asked for and received the Report of the Committee appointed to examine the Financial Statements and other Certificates which were handed back to the President and declared to be in order. The Session began at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday, 8th June.
The Capitulars then discussed further propositions on the Agenda as well as the preliminary drafting of some of the Recommendations and Decrees to be presented to the Chapter after the Elections.
This Session ended at 1 p.m., Most Rev. Fr. General having assigned to their various offices those of the Capitular Fathers whom he appointed to take part in the following morning's Solemn Votive Mass prior to the Elections.
On this afternoon there was no Session as Father General and the Capitulars, as well as the Community, took part in the Procession of the Most Holy Sacrament customarily held in the Church and grounds of the Retreat on the Sunday within the Octave of the West of Corpus Christi; and during Solemn Benediction - at which Most Rev. Fr. General officiated - the Triduum was concluded.
At 7 o'clock on this evening, V. Rev. Fr. Cormac of the Mother of Sorrows, Master of Novices, delivered to the other Capitulars and the whole Community assembled in Choir a most apt and edifying

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Discourse, reminding the Religious - and the Capitulars in particular - of the solemnity of the occasion and the importance of conscientiously electing the most worthy and most suitable Superiors to direct the destinies of the Province for the incoming three years. Referring to the exalted nature of a Passionist vocation, Fr. Cormac reminded us that it meant nothing less than to fill up in a very perfect measure what is wanting in the Passion of Christ - to save and sanctify our souls by striving to live daily the Passion of Christ and to labour for the salvation of all souls: firstly, by living the Passion in our own lives and, secondly, by preaching Christ Crucified in season and out of season. To walk worthy of such a vocation, we have only to follow faithfully our Father and Founder, St. Paul of the Cross.
"To learn, guard and foster the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross", continued Fr. Cormac, "we must often remind ourselves of the three essentials of a Passionist vocation so strongly emphasised at the recent General Chapter and so insistently inculcated by our Holy Founder till his death - namely, the threefold spirit of Solitude, Prayer and Penance." Enlarging on this spirit breathed so strongly in every page of our Holy Rule, the Preacher pointed out that it is our Fourth Vow which should colour and inspire our Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, while it should also be our inspiration and strength in seeking and loving solitude and in acquiring the spirit of Prayer. "I, therefore, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called with all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity." How forcibly are we reminded of these words

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of the great St. Paul during these important days of our Provincial Chapter, when men must be chosen to govern the Province and the various Communities thereof. If the soundness of the members depends on the soundness of the Head and if we are to live faithfully in the vocation to which we are called, then, under God's guidance, we must pray that our Province will be blessed with men who will first try to know the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross and, accordingly, walk worthy of their vocation. For, unless a Superior is a man who seeks to make himself - as far as possible - a man after the heart of St. Paul of the Cross - a man fired with the spirit of his Fourth Vow and the spirit of Penance - a man of Prayer - a man who loves the Solitude of his Retreat, he will not be a Superior who faithfully discharges his duty of guarding the Holy Rule and of fostering the spirit of our Holy Founder. In conclusion, Fr. Cormac added: "With these thoughts of our great vocation before us, let us implore the assistance of our Blessed Lady, our Holy Founder and St. Gabriel, that God's Blessing may come down on our Chapter and that, through it, we may find fresh inspiration and draw new courage to walk worthily in the footsteps of St. Paul of the Cross and even of Jesus Crucified."
S I X T H S E S S I O N
At 8 o'clock on the morning of Monday, 9th June, a Solemn Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit was sung in the Church - the Celebrant being the Most Rev. Fr. Albert of the Sorrowful Virgin, Superior General and President of the Chapter, assisted, as Deacon and Subdeacon

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respectively, by V. Rev. Fr. Frederick of the Sorrowful Virgin and V. Rev. Fr. Peter Paul of the Seven Dolours. V. Rev. Fr. Cronan of the Sorrowful Virgin was Master of Ceremonies. The other offices were distributed among the Capitulars.
At 10 o'clock on the same morning the Capitular Fathers and the Religious of St. Paul's Retreat assembled in the Choir. Most Rev. Fr. General, vested in surplice and white stole and bearing the Crucifix, intoned the "Vexilla Regis" which was taken up by all the Religious and sung while all walked in procession to the Chapter-Room. 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.
The Most Rev. President then addressed the Capitulars. His Paternity, having first reminded them of the solemnity and responsibility of the occasion and that, in this Sixth Session, they were about to enter upon the Chapter proper, charged them with their obvious duty towards Almighty God, towards their own consciences and towards the Congregation. The Superiors of the next three years would have to rule in a time of hardships - which made the need for men of prudence all the greater - while not just in this Province, but all over the Congregation and, indeed, in every Religious Order, of of the chief cares and urgent duties of those entrusted with Canonical Office would be the control and guidance and guardianship of young, or comparatively young, Religious. In the matter of election, the Capitulars must leave aside

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all human preferences and personal considerations and choose those whom they conscientiously deemed, before God, to be the worthiest and most suitable for each Office. "St. Patrick's Province", said Fr. General, "has been an honour to the Congregation, thank God; and this is only one of many reasons why the General Curia looks forward with special interest and much confidence to the immediate results and the permanent effects of the Elections upon which we now enter in God's Name and with the help and intercession of our Holy Founder and St. Patrick, crowned by the patronage and protection of Mary, the Mother of Sorrows."
.....
The Most Rev. President then intoned the "Veni, Creator" which, having been sung, was followed by the usual Versicles and Prayers.
The names of the Capitulars were then called by the Secretary, each answering "Adsum":-
Albertus a Virgine Perdolente(Praepositus Generalis et Praeses);
Geraldus a Sacro Corde Jesu(Praepositus Provincialis);
Cronanus a Virgine Perdolente(Primus Consultor Provincialis);
Edmundus a Beata Maria Virgine(Secundus Consultor Provincialis);
Hadrianus a Septem Doloribus(Rector Recessus S. Pauli a Cruce);
Fredericus a Virgine Perdolente(Rector Recessus S. Kentigerni);
Terentius a Septem Doloribus(Rector Recessus Sanctae Crucis);
Terentius a Domina Nostra de Perpetuo Succursu(Rector Rec. S. Gabrielis);
Silvius a Domina Nostra de Perpetuo Succursu(Rector Rec. Mariae Immac.);
Augustinus a Jesu Crucifixo(Rector Recessus S. Joseph);
Fabianus a Jesu Crucifixo(Rector Recessus S. Michaelis);
Cormac a Matre Dolorosa(Magister Novitiorum).
.....
The Most Rev. President then asked the Capitulars whether the Provincial Chapter had been canonically assembled; and, having received an affirmative reply, he declared the Chapter canonically opened. The usual acts of humility were then performed, and the Seals of Office and

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the "Litterae Patentes" were handed in. The Most Rev. Fr. President imparted the "Absolutio ad cautelam" to all - he himself receiving it from V. Rev. Fr. Gerald, Provincial. V. Rev. Fr. Austin was then elected Permanent Secretary of the Chapter. After this, V. Rev. Fathers Cornae and Fabian Fabian and Cornae were elected First and 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 Father Provincial which, Most Rev. Fr. General pointed out, could be extended, if one wished, to all the elections:- "Testor Christum Dominum, qui me iudicaturus est, me electurum quem, secundum Deum, iudico elegi debere". The Election of the Provincial was then proceeded with.
V. Rev. Fr. Cronan of the Sorrowful Virgin was elected at the Third Scrutiny. Father Cronan accepted the Office and, in doing so, paid a tribute to the work and worth of his two immediate predecessors, Fathers Adrian and Gerald (both present); and, while thanking the Capitulars for the honour conferred upon him and the confidence reposed in him, assured them that, with God's help, he would do his utmost to uphold the traditions of the Congregation and the Province.
At this Session Fr. Peter Paul of the Seven Dolours was elected First Provincial Consultor at the Sixth Scrutiny, and Fr. Terence of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was elected Second Provincial Consultor also at the Sixth Scrutiny. Both accepted these Offices.
The Community of St. Paul's Retreat was then summoned to the Chapter-Room where they offered to the newly-elected Provincial their

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obedience and congratulation. The Capitular Fathers and the Community then left the Chapter-Room and assembled in the Church, where Solemn Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament was given by the newly-elected Provincial, assisted by the two newly-elected Consultors, and the "Te Deum" was sung in thanksgiving.
There was no afternoon Session on this day as Most Rev. Fr. General kindly allowed Recreation in honour of the election of the new Provincial Curia.
S E V E N T H S E S S I O N
At 9 o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, 10th June, 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:-
V. Rev. Fr. Oliver of the Sacred Heart - Master of Novices at the Seventh Scrutiny.V. Rev. Fr. Christopher of the Agonising Heart of Jesus - Rector of St. Paul's Retreat at the 19th Scrutiny.V. Rev. Fr. Cormac of the Mother of Sörrows - Rector of St. Mungo's Retreat at the 6th Scrutiny.
Fr. Cormac, who was present, signified his acceptance; and the Secretary was instructed to communicate with FF. Oliver and Christopher.
E I G H T H S E S S I O N
The Capitulars met in the Chapter-Room at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of Tuesday, 10th June. After the usual Prayers the Elections were continued.

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The following were elected, the Election in each case being framed and published in the graditional manner:-
V. Rev. Fr. Bonaventure of the Five Wounds - Rector of Holy Cross Retreat at the 12th Scrutiny.
V. Rev. Fr. Placid of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Rector of St. Gabriel's Retreat at the 4th Scrutiny.
V. Rev. Fr. Angelo of the Five Wounds - Rector of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate at the 6th Scrutiny.
V. Rev. Fr. Bonaventure, "de familia" at St. Paul's Retreat, was summoned to the Chapter-Room and signified his acceptance of the Rectorship of Holy Cross Retreat. The Secretary was instructed to communicate with FF. Placid and Angelo.
During this Session, telegrams from FF. Oliver and Christopher addressed to the Secretary, accepting the Mastership of Novices and the Rectorship of St. Paul's Retreat, respectively, were read to the Capitular Fathers.
N I N T H S E S S I O N
The Capitular Fathers again assembled at 9 o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, 11th June. The customary Prayers having been recited, telegrams from FF. Placid and Angelo to the Secretary, signifying their acceptance of the Offices to which they had been elected, were read. The Chapter then proceeded to the election of the Rectors of the two remaining Retreats of St. Joseph and St. Michael. As no election of a Rector of St. Joseph's Retreat had taken place after twenty scrutinies, the Most Rev. President suspended this election

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and directed, with the consent of the Capitulars, that the Rector of St. Michael's Retreat be first proceeded with.
V. Rev. Fr. Fabian of Jesus Crucified was then elected as Rector of St. Michael's Retreat at the 6th Scrutiny. Finally, V. Rev. Fr. Stephen of the Blessed Sacrament was elected as Rector of St Joseph's Retreat at the 21st Scrutiny.
V. Rev. Fr. Fabian, who was present, signified his acceptance, and the Secretary was instructed to communicate with V. Rev. Fr. Stephen.
The Community of St. Paul's Retreat was then called to the Chapter-Room, and V. Rev. Fr. Fabian, Second Scrutineer, read a complete list of the Elections held at the Seventh Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick.
TENTH SESSION
The Capitulars re-assembled at 4 o'clock on Wednesday, 11th June. After the usual Prayers, a telegram from V. Rev. Fr. Stephen to the Secretary of the Chapter, signifying his acceptance of the Rectorship of St. Joseph's Retreat, was read.
During this Session the Capitulars resumed discussions on the Acts, Decrees and Recommendations of the Chapter, and corrections and amendments were made.
The possibility of the foundation of a Convent of Passionist Nuns in the Province of St. Patrick was discussed. Mindful of the very exalted nature of their contemplative life and the power of their prayers in co-operating with our missionary ministry, and considering es-

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pecially their close association with our Holy Founder and our own vocation, the Chapter would warmly welcome such a foundation and recommends its realisation to the prayers of the Religious of the Province.
The possibility of introducing the ministry of conducting enclosed Retreats - for both ecclesiastics and laymen - in the Province was also discussed; and the Chapter recommends that the feasibility of making suitable provision for such Retreats be explored by the Provincial Curia.
Certain matters of immediate importance, dealing with the welfare - both spiritual and temporal - of St. Mungo's Retreat, were likewise discussed in detail.
ELEVENTH SESSION
The Capitular Fathers again met at 9 o'clock on the morning of Thursday, 12th June, and the Session opened with the usual Prayers.
The question of a Foreign Mission to be entrusted to the Province was very fully discussed. V. Rev. Fr. Gerald outlined the steps already taken to implement the Decrees of former Provincial Chapters. Four Priests had been fully prepared for missionary work and were now labouring in the Passionist Prefecture Apostolic of Dodoma, where Monsignor Theodore Matthews, C.P., had been Appointed Apostolic Administrator.
A Financial Statement of the Foreign Mission Fund - to which the various Rectors and the Managing Editor of "The Cross" had generously contributed - was read by V. Rev. Fr. Edmund.
At this stage, Most Rev. Fr. General took occasion to express

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his great gratitude to the Provincial and all concerned, and especially to the missionaries abroad, for the earnest and willing way in which this truly apostolic work had been undertaken and prosecuted at short notice and under considerable difficulty in such trying and abnormal times. His Paternity also stressed the merit of such ready obedience to the Holy See as well as to the Higher Superiors of our own Congregation, and associated with his own gratitude that of the General Curia.
A letter from His Excellency, the Apostolic Delegate to Africa, Monsignor David Mathew, in which he suggested the allocation of Mission Territory at Sokoto, Nigeria, was also considered. The Most Rev. Fr. President likewise informed the Chapter that His Excellency, the Apostolic Delegate to the East Indies, Monsignor Leo Kierkels, C.P., had offered to the Province of St. Patrick a Mission Territory in Ceylon.
After a full and frank discussion, the Chapter was of opinion that the possibility of a Mission in Tanganyika, to be entrusted to this Province, should first be explored. Failing this, the Mission in Nigeria should be accepted. And, finally, should this not be available, then the Mission in Ceylon should be negotiated.
The new Provincial Curia was instructed to convey this decision at the earliest possible moment to Monsignor Theodore Matthews, C.P., so that the necessary arrangements for the allocation of a definite and permanent territory might be made through H. E., the Apostolic Delegate to Africa. It was further decided that some more Friests of our

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Province should be selected for missionary work. Suitable Decrees were accordingly drawn up.
It was also directed that Postulants, before entering the Alumniate, should be informed of the possibility that they may afterwards be sent to Foreign Missions.
During this Session the Chapter heard and considered the Secretary's Report on all matters already deliberated, and held further discussions on the Acts, Decrees and Recommendations to be signed at the concluding Session of the Chapter. To give the Secretary time to prepare and present the final draft of the entire proceedings of the Chapter, no afternoon Session was held on this day.
TWELFTH SESSION
The Capitular Fathers assembled for the last Session of our Seventh Provincial Chapter on the morning of Friday, 13th June, at 9 o'clock. After the customary Prayers, the Secretary read the Acts and Decrees of the Chapter, which were amended and approved by vote.
The Most Rev. 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 query all the Capitulars replied in the affirmative. He then addressed the Capitular Fathers.
In the first place, Most Rev. Fr. General expressed his deep satisfaction at the way in which the Chapter had been conducted. This had been done not only in a spirit of charity, but, one might say, with the very cream of charity and with one heart and one soul. Personalitie

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had been left completely in oblivion, and nothing but the good of the Congregation and of the Province had been considered or sought. Though the Chapter had brought His Paternity into close touch only with the Superiors, they, nevertheless, represented the subjects; and thus these days had afforded him a welcome opportunity of pulsating, as it were, the feeling and the spirit of the Province in which he sensed a splendid outlook on the Passionist life, and found the spirit and the core so fresh and so vibrant in the things which mainly matter. Father General said that he would convey all that he felt and expressed to the Holy See, and that he would take occasion to convey his happy impressions to other Provinces of the Congregation, while he would likewise hold up our spirit of charity and earnestness as an example to those who might lack it or enjoy less of it. In warm words His Paternity thanked the Capitulars and the other Religious for their kindness, co-operation, hospitality and welcome, whilst he paid a special and personal tribute to the ex-Provincial(Fr. Gerald) for his noble work, so unsparingly done, for the Province, and to the ex-Rector of St. Paul's Retreat(Fr. Adrian) for his unceasing and successful labours both for the Province and for Mount Argus which, added Fr. General, was the pride of the Province and an ornament of the whole Congregation. Finally, Fr. General asked the prayers of the Capitulars and the Religious of the Province of St. Patrick for his work and that he might have light, encouragement and guidance in the many and heavy tasks already assigned to him and also in those awaiting him both in Rome and in the various Provinces.
Replying to Most Rev. Fr. General, the new Provincial, V. Rev.

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Fr. Cronan, expressed thanks to Father General for his patience, his kindness and his fatherly help throughout the busy and eventful days of our Chapter. We had many things, said Fr. Provincial, for which to be deeply grateful. It was the first time in the comparatively short life of St. Patrick's Province that we had, as President, a General who could act without an interpreter or intermediary and thus be so able to sense our sentiments so fully. It was a source of joy and consolation that our Province had caused His Paternity no grave anxiety. Only naturally we were pleased and proud to hear such sincere and solid tributes to our Religious from the lips of the successor of our Holy Founder. Likewise, all appreciated deeply His Paternity's dual tribute to Fathers Gerald and Adrian - to which Fr. Provincial added warm words of affectionate and well-deserved gratitude, on behalf of the Province, to the late Fr. Sebastian of the Immaculate Conception, the Father - as its first Provincial - of our young Province. Fr. Provincial assured Fr. General of our prayers which would accompany him daily and help him to overcome any or all difficulties in the exercise and practice of the spirit of kindness and fatherly charity of which he had given such a beautiful and paternal example during the Seventh Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick. Finally, Fr. Provincial wished Most Rev. Fr. General an abundance of all those desirable things which would bring good to the Congregation, happiness to himself and glory and joy to our Holy Founder in Heaven.
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Then the Capitulars signed the Acts and Decrees:-
Albertus a Virgine Perdolente, Praepositus Generalis et Praeses;
Geraldus a Sacro Corde Jesu, Praepositus Provincialis;
Cronanus a Virgine Perdolente, Primus Consultor Provincialis;
Edmundus a Beata Maria Virgine, Secundus Consultor Provincialis;
Hadrianus a Septem Doloribus; Rector S. Pauli a Cruce;
Fredericus a Virgine Perdolente, Rector S. Kentigerni;
Petrus Paulus a Septem Doloribus, Rector S. Crucis;
Terentius a Domina Nostra de Perpetuo Succursu, Rector S. Gabrielis;
Silvius a Domina Nostra de Perpetuo Succursu, Rector Mariae Immaculatae;
Augustinus a Jesu Crucifixo, Rector S. Joseph;
Fabianus a Jesu Crucifixo, Rector S. Michaelis;
Cormac a Matre Dolorosa, Magister Novitiorum.
Thus concluded the Seventh Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick, held in St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, in the month of June, and in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-Seven.
(Signed): Austin of Jesus Crucified,
Secretary.
13th June, 1947.
.....
Confirmation of Elections:
Auctoritate qua in Domino fungimur, Acta et Decreta hujus Capituli, necnon electionem Rectorum et Magistri Novitiorum, libenter confirmamus.
L. J. S.
Albertus a Virgine Perdolente,
Praep. Gen. et Praeses.
Dublini, 13 Junii, 1947.

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DECREES
OF THE
SEVENTH PROVINCIAL CHAPTER
OF THE
PROVINCE OF ST. PATRICK
I
The Ven. Chapter, appreciating what has already been done towards the establishment of a Foreign Mission, and also recognising the temporary position of our Fathers in Tanganyika, directs Father Provincial to take immediate steps to acquire for the Province of St. Patrick some permanent mission field, if possible in Africa.
II
In view of the high educational requirements in foreign missionary countries, the Ven. Chapter directs the Provincial Curia to select a sufficient number of suitable Religious for adequate training in this aspect of missionary work.
III
The Ven. Chapter, recognising that the acceptance of a Foreign Mission will involve considerable financial outlay, directs the Provincial Curia to appoint a Provincial Missionary Secretary.
IV
To prepare our young Priests for Missions and Retreats in conformity with the Passionist method, the Ven. Chapter orders that the "Directory for Missions and Retreats" be used as a text-book during the year devoted to Sacred Eloquence.

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V
The Ven. Chapter decrees that the pension payable by clerical Novices be raised to £60 per annum; and, likewise, that the pension payable by Postulants henceforth entering the Alumniate be also raised to £60 per annum.
VI
The Ven. Chapter, abrogating Decree II of the Fifth Provincial Chapter, orders that the "Missa pro populo" be said "de praecepto" in Holy Cross Parish on all those days on which it is said in the other Parishes of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
(Signed) ; Austin of Jesus Crucified,
Secretary.
Concordat cum originali:
St. Paul's Retreat.
Mount Argus, Dublin.
To be read in the Choir or the Refectory, all the Religious being present.
Jonasus a V. Perds
Draep. Brown
13th June, 1947.

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PROVINCIAL CURIA.
TO BE READ AFTER THE ACTS & DECREES OF THE CHAPTER
St. Paul's Retreat,
Mount Argus,
Dublin, S. W. 7.
Telephone
Dublin 91165.
Since the Provincial Chapter, Most Rev. Fr. General has written to say that, on further inquiries, he finds that the Ceylon offer, made through His Excellency Most Rev. Leo Kierkels, C.P., Apostolic Delegate to the East Indies, is not really an offer of a Missionary Territory, and is unacceptable for the following reasons :-
1. It is already part of a small Diocese.
2. There is an ample supply of Redemptorists Fathers in the District.
3. The Bishop really wants only a Retreat House for the Clergy.
In these circumstances, there seems no possibility of a Foreign Mission in Ceylon.
Cronan of the Sonowful Virgin
Provincial.