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6/1/92
Province of
St. Patrick.
JXP
Convocation of the 9th
Provincial Chapter, 1953.
CRONAN OF THE SORROWFUL VIRGIN
Provincial.
To all the religious of the Province of St. Patrick
Health and Peace in the Lord.
Most Rev. Fr. General has intimated his intention to preside at our forthcoming Provincial Chapter and he has indicated 16th April, 1953 as the most suitable date. Wherefore in accordance with Chapter XXX of our Constitutions we summon the Capitular Fathers to our 9th Provincial Chapter to be held at St. Paul's Retreat, Dublin on the 16th April, 1953. The Fathers are requested to be present at St. Paul's Retreat not later than the evening of Wednesday, 15th April so that they may join in the Triduum which shall commence that evening.
The year just passed marked the Silver Jubilee of the foundation of the Province of St. Patrick. The progress made during the past twenty-five years inspires us with the deepest gratitude to Almighty God. During that comparatively short period three new Retreats were founded and the work of Enclosed Retreats for the clergy and laity has been successfully undertaken at the very suitable property of Coodham adjacent to St. Michael's. During the same period the number of religious in the Province has more than doubled being now 199, the number of Missions and Retreats conducted by our Fathers has increased more than 100 per cent reaching a total of 341 per annum in the latest returns and, after having generously assisted the Italian Fathers during several critical years in Tanganyika, our Province has now undertaken the responsibility for a Foreign Mission field in Bechuanaland. Although ours is the most recently founded Province, in respect of numbers it ranks sixth among the eighteen Provinces of the Congregation. While giving humble thanks to God for this marvellous record of progress we discern in it an evidence of the apostolic zeal of our religious and of the high esteem in which they are held by the clergy and laity of Ireland and Scotland.
We are not unmindful, however, dear brethren, that these extraordinary blessings bestowed on our Province by Almighty God impose their own special obligations. Our growth in numbers and the extension of our apostolic ministry should be accompanied by a growing enthusiasm for the cultivation of the truly Passionist spirit. We call to
mind/

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mind the words of our Holy Father, Pius XII, in his allocutio to religious assembled in Rome: "Not only should generous activity and the cultivation of the interior life be joined together, but, at least in regard to our esteem and desire, they should progress at an equal pace. Where, therefore, there is an increase in labours, there should also be a proportionate increase in faith, prayer, self-dedication to God, purity of conscience, obedience, patient endurance, fully active and ever watchful charity towards God and the neighbour" (1).
When we convoked the last Provincial Chapter we indicated three items of special urgency: a more suitable location for our Alumniate, the position of our Fathers serving on the Foreign Missions in Tanganyika and the erection of a new Oratory and Retreat at St. Joseph's. The Alumniate has been transferred to a more suitable site at Crossgar and six Fathers are already working in the Bechuanaland territory which has been recently assigned to our care and where they are generously and ably assisted by the Passionist Sisters. These two achievements, however, have added heavy financial burdens to the Province so that the prohibitive building costs in rural areas have made it impossible for us to commence new buildings at St. Joseph's.
By the time the Chapter assembles the General Curia will have completed a year's searching inquiry into all matters relating to St. Patrick's Province. Fr. General, therefore, will be able to give well-informed and authoritative guidance in the Chapter deliberations and elections. Our religious, no doubt, realise that the welfare of the Province during the coming three years depends to a large extent on the Chapter decisions and the choice of Superiors. We are fully confident that they will earnestly beg God to grant His divine aid and bestow His blessing on the work of the Chapter. We exhort all to join with more than ordinary fervour in the prayers which we now prescribe to be recited in each community during the time of evening meditation.
On and after the 1st March a Pater, Ave and Gloria with the respective antiphon, versicle and prayer shall be recited in honour of each of our Holy Patrons: SS. Michael, Joseph, Patrick, Paul of the Cross and Gabriel. On the 18th March and thereafter the Litany of Our Lady with the antiphon and prayer, and also the Veni Creator with versicle and prayer shall be added to the prayers mentioned above. The Triduum prescribed by our Constitutions shall begin on the evening of Wednesday 15th April. During the Triduum and also on the morning of the election of Superiors the students and lay-brothers shall offer their Holy Communion for the same intention.
(1) AAS. 43 (1951), p.32.

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Religious who wish to propose matters for discussion in the Chapter should send their propositions in writing to the Provincial not later than 15th March.
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 the 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.
We beg Our Divine Lord through the intercession of His Sorrowful Mother to enrich all the religious of our Province with an abundant measure of the graces which He has merited for us by His Sacred Passion and Death.
Given at St. Paul's Retreat, Dublin on the Feast of the Epiphany, 1953.
Ironar of the Sorrowful Vicar.
Provincial.
(To be read in the choir or refectory, all the religious being present.)