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JESU CHRISTI PASSIO
6/1/81
CRONAN OF THE SORROWFUL VIRGIN
PROVINCIAL OF THE PROVINCE OF ST. PATRICK
To the Very Reverend Fathers Consultors, Rectors, Master of Novices and to all the Priests, Students and Lay-Brothers of the said Province of the Congregation of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
HEALTH AND PEACE IN THE LORD
As the Canonization of Blessed Vincent Strambi and Blessed Maria Goretti are to take place on June 11th and 25th respectively, Most Reverend Father General, in a letter of February 11th, 1950, wrote that he wished us to hold our Provincial Chapter, if possible, during April or May, as these were the only months in which he himself would be free to preside. As the Month of May would be extremely difficult for us owing to Missionary engagements, His Paternity has given permission to convoke the Chapter immediately after Easter IN THE MONTH OF APRIL.
Accordingly, we appoint Wednesday within the Octave of Easter, April 12th, as the date for the opening, in St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, of the Eighth Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Patrick. The Capitular Fathers are requested to be at St. Paul's Retreat not later than the evening of 11th April, so as to be present at the opening session, and at the prescribed Triduum which will begin the following day.
It is with sentiments of deepest joy and satisfaction that we welcome the good news that Most Reverend Father General himself is coming to preside at the deliberations of the Capitular Fathers. As the representative of Our Holy Congregation, St. Paul of the Cross, possessing supreme authority in the Congregation, we welcome him in our midst. Under the guidance of his wisdom, prudence, experience and charity, we feel confident of the happy outcome of these deliberations - directed, as they will be, according to the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross - the providing for the future welfare of our beloved Province of St. Patrick.
As it is customary, in this Convocatory Letter, to give a brief review of the past three years, we have much pleasure in recording the advance in the Cause of our beloved Father Charles of St. Andrew. Thanks to the untiring removed from the Vice-Postulator, Father Gerald, his remains were removed from the Cemetery to a more suitable resting place, within the Church at St. Paul's Retreat. We take this opportunity of reminding the brethren that prayers are still needed, imploring Our Lord and His Blessed Mother to hasten the day when his cause will be brought to a happy conclusion.

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The work of the Fathers on the Missions needs little comment. The record number of Missions and Retreats conducted by our Fathers during these years, are ample proof of the zeal, devotion and earnestness of all the Fathers engaged in this Apostolic work. Thanks to their untiring efforts, the active side of our ministry continues to advance year by year.
Here we are pleased to add also, that the work of conducting enclosed Retreats in the Province, both for Ecclesiastics and Laymen - in accordance with the wishes of the Capitulars expressed in the last Chapter - has been introduced. A suitable property, adjacent to St. Michael's Retreat, was acquired for the purpose - Fatima House. To His Lordship the Bishop of Galloway, Right Reverend Dr. Mellon, our most heartfelt thanks are due. Not merely did he willingly and wholeheartedly give his permission to purchase the property, but he himself was the first to recommend it, and urged on its acquisition. Owing to the many restrictions in force, it has not yet been found possible to equip it fully for week-end Retreats; but its future importance may be judged from the fact that during last year there were 46 one-day Retreats conducted at Fatima House, with an attendance of 1418 Retreatants. It is the he sincerely sincerely to be hoped that under the Patronage of Our Blessed Lady, this work will grow and increase, thus giving us another valuable medium of promoting the knowledge of, and devotion to, the Passion of Our Divine Lord. That our Missionary labours in Scotland have increased is also evident from the fact that during the last two years, one quarter of all our Missions and Retreats, were conducted there.
The inadequacy and unsuitability of our present Alumniate have long been recognised. Unfortunately, it has not been found possible to remedy this state of affairs, though repeated efforts have been made to find a more suitable site for the purpose. Likewise, the desire of the Province to acquire a Foreign Mission Field of its own has not been fulfilled. The position of our Fathers in Tanganyika is still uncertain, and to date, there seems little hope of the fulfillment of promises given to us, when asked to send Fathers to help in this field of labour. Another matter that will need attention in the near future is the erection of a new Monastery at St. Joseph's, Colloney. That the present House and Church are only temporary, and are insufficient for our needs, are well known; besides, the increasing number of vocations makes it of urgent importance that the extra accommodation be provided.
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Passing from these considerations to the importance of the Chapter itself, my dear Brethren, we feel that its full significance is realised by you all, and calls for little comment from me.
As the Annual Visitation is for each Retreat and the Annual Retreat for the individual Religious, so is the Triennial Chapter for the Province. It marks a definite point in its

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history; a point where the Superiors meet, under the guidance of a supreme authority, to discuss the state of the Province as a whole. When both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Province are revewed, the spirit of its members are is also discussed, and if necessary timely remedies are applied, so that there may be preserved intact the sublime ideal of Our Holy Founder. On the faithful discharge of their obligations by the Capitular Fathers the future well-being of the Province depends. Especially will this be evident in their choice of Superiors to guide the destinies of the Province for the coming three years - for it is in their hands that work lies. On their example to the Brethren whom they govern, on their prudence, advice and words of exhortation or correction, on their faithful adherence to the spirit of the Holy Rule; on all these things will depend the peace, happiness and spiritual progress of each Community, and of the Province as a whole. The Capitulars must boldly face up to the defects in our midst - almost inevitable where human nature is concerned - seek out their cause, and enact suitable measures for their eradication.
In the Divine Dispensation, a Superior holds a unique place. God has ordained "that by man, shall man know the path of salvation". As a distinguished monarch governs as a rule through his Ministers, so God has condescended to associate poor creatures in His work and glory. In His wisdom, then, He has deigned to deligate to His subjects some of His own Divine Power, and through them, to transmit to others His wishes and commands. To the rulers of the Church Our Divine Lord has said: "He that heareth you heareth me: and he that despiseth you despiseth me : and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me" (Luke, X-16). By human agents these rulers are chosen - from the Supreme Pontiff down to the least in authority - persons subject to the same frailties and weaknesses as ourselves. Yet, by this very fact of election and ratification, God on His part endows them with authority to act and rule in His Name, and thus entrusts them with some part of His own Divine Jurisdiction. They become His agents on earth, His representatives, His ambassadors; the direct link between God and His subjects; a strong branch of that Mystic Vine whose duty it is to support other branches, and through whom the Sap of Divine Life will be transmitted to the various members - transforming them into the likeness of Christ - all working towards that one end, so aptly described in his Epistle to the Ephesians by St. Paul: "the building up of the body of Christ" (Eph. IV-12).
To assist in the fulfilling of this Divine Plan is the solemn duty imposed on the Chapter: this is the sacred task committed to their care. As the members of that Chapter are themselves, however, only human - subject to the weakness and strength of human nature, moved by passion or influenced by prejudice - it is your duty, my dear Brothers in Jesus Christ, to assist them by your prayers, that aided by the Divine Help, they may be enabled to rise above these human frailties and in a spirit of faith discharge the work entrusted to them.

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For this purpose, therefore, we ordain that from the reading of this Convocatory Letter, the Religious shall recite daily in common, during the evening meditation a Pater, Ave and Gloria in honour of EACH of our Holy Patrons - St. Michael, St. Joseph, St. Patrick, St. Paul of the Cross and St. Gabriel - with their respective Antiphons, Versicles and Prayers. Furthermore, from 19th March till 11th April, the Veni Creator with Versicle and Prayer, and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin with the Antiphon and Prayer (Concede) shall be recited, in addition to the above prayers. The Triduum ordered by our Holy Rule shall commence, in the manner prescribed in our Ritual, on the evening of 12th April. During the Triduum and also on the morning of the Election of Superiors, the Clerics and Lay-Brothers shall offer their Holy Communion for the same intention.
Those Religious who wish to propose matters for discussion and possible legislation in the Chapter, will please send them to the Provincial, not later than March, 25th, so that they may be incorporated in the Agenda, and presented to the Capitulars for consideration some time before the Chapter.
We remind Rectors to bring with them their "Litterae Patentes" and seals of Office, together with the following documents :-
1 Certificates of the exact keeping of the Archives, signed by the Rector or Superior and Vicar.2 Certificates of the faithful celebration of Masses, signed by all the priests, except the Rector or Superior.3 Inventory of the Retreat - Church, Sacristy, Furniture, etc.4 A correct Financial Statement of the Retreat showing the Income and Expenditure since the last Provincial Chapter, noting any extraordinary Income and Expenditure, signed by the Rector or Superior and Vicar.5 A correct Statement of the debts of the Retreat - monies borrowed at interest and percentage payable; monies borrowed without interest; all outstanding debts and those current to date including rent, rates, taxes etc; and finally, the amount of Balance in Hand or in Bank, signed by the Rector or Superior and Vicar.6 A Record of the Chapters and Examens held in Choir since the last Provincial Chapter.
Begging Our Crucified Saviour, through the intercession of the Sorrowful Virgin to bless you all.
Given at St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, the 3rd day of March, 1950, the Feast of the Crown of Thorns.
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Provincial.
TO BE READ PUBLICLY IN THE CHOIR OR REFECTORY, ALL THE RELIGIOUS BEING PRESENT.