--- Page 1 ---
1956
6/1/11/2
His Lordship, Bishop J.M. Liston of Auckland, New Zealand, extends to Father General a warm welcome for a Passionist foundation in his diocese. His Lordship's letter is too long to reproduce here. He concludes the letter by saying:
"I realise from the letters of Father Provincial (of Australia) the difficulty of providing a staff from Australia, and I beg leave to say that Fathers of England, Ireland, Scotland would be welcomed."
I have informed Father General, who forwarded a copy of the bishop's letter that the Curia has no comment to make at this stage except that, as Father General suggests, the mind of the Chapter may be asked concerning the matter.
(There is no reference in the letter, understandably, to whether the foundation would belong to the Australian Province or some other Province.)
The Chapter may also be asked to express its view as to whether our Province really wishes to extend itself into the Union of South Africa even to the extent of making one foundation there. The General Curia in April, 1958, made it a conditio sine qua non of our acceptance of Bechuanaland that we get a foundation. This year the General Curia decided to revoke that condition for reasons best known to itself. The acceptance of Bechuanaland Prefecture and the acceptance of a South African foundation are now separate issues.
PROVINCIAL.

--- Page 2 ---
Suggested Motion:-
It is hereby declared that none of our religious has a right at any time to intoxicating drink; that all are dependent at all times on the good will of the Superiors with regard to drink to be permitted; that generosity of Superiors and practices hitherto prevailing have not created any obligation on the part of Superiors to issue intoxicating drink or any right on the part of subjects to demand it.
The Father Provincial is charged to enquire into practices prevailing in the matter of intoxicating drink issued by Superiors and to ensure that a rigid control is exercised in the matter. Practices harmful to the Province are to be discontinued or restricted.
The Provincial with his Consultors shall consider whether legislation is opportune which forbids our young brothers and young priests (i.e. those but a few years Ordained) to take any alcoholic drink.

--- Page 3 ---
In view of the fact that the volume of our work, both at home and in Africa, has greatly increased and that our numbers have not increased proportionately, would the Capitular Fathers kindly consider some ways and means of providing extra accomodation for our postulants and students?
Formerly we received a large percentage of novices from schools and colleges other than our own Juniorate. In recent years, however, this situation has changed radically, and we now find that very few novices come from outside schools. For example: (1) of the three priests ordained last year, two were from our Juniorate; (2) all three ordinandi for next Christmas were in the Juniorate; (3) all four Theology students likewise passed through Wheatfield and Crossgar; (4) of fourteen Philosophy students resident in St. Michael's Retreat last summer, thirteen had been postulants in Crossgar.
Postulators from other institutes have already 'skimmed off' subjects suitable for the priesthood from the Sixth Year Students of Secondary Schools. Obviously, therefore, it should be our aim to withdraw prospective postulants from the Junior classes of Secondary Schools or from the Senior grades of Primary Schools. This would clearly necessitate the provision of a Juniorate larger than that which we now possess.
If in the future we are to keep apace with our commitments at home and abroad, I think we would require at least ten priests per year for ordination. On the basis of this requirement, there is an urgent need for accomodation for approximately forty Theology students, some twenty Philosophy students and about one hundred Postulants - allowing for defections.
(Submitted)
The 'mind of the Chapter' will be sought with regard to our future building pr ogramme -if any.
(Provincial's Comment)

--- Page 4 ---
The Provincial Prefect of Studies wishes to draw the attention of the Capitular Fathers to the prescriptions of the "Ratio Studiorum Generalis" concerning the upkeep of our Libraries: The "Ratio" (art. 140) prescribes:
a) that every house of the Congregation should have a well-stocked Library,b) that it shall be the care of Superiors to see that these Libraries are kept stocked with suitable books and periodicals; and to ensure this, that the Provincial Chapter shall decide the amount of money to be expended yearly by each Retreat in purchasing books and periodicals,c) that special provision shall be made for the Libraries attached to Houses of Study.
He humbly suggests the creation of a Central Library Fund for the Province, towards which each Retreat shall contribute pro rata, - say a certain percentage of its yearly income, or perhaps the equivalent of twelve Mass Stipends yearly for each priest in the Community. This Central Fund could be administered by the Provincial Prefect of Studies under the supervision of Father Provincial and according to the particular needs of each Retreat. This arrangement would enable the Prefect to purchase certain books in considerable quantities, and thus avail of the financial benefits which Publishing Companies and Booksellers usually give to similar institutions.
Unfortunately most of our Libraries are very much out-of-date. If they are to be brought up-to-date, the expenses to be incurred in the next few years will be much greater than would be normally required for the upkeep of a Library. The Prefect therefore suggests that the Capitular Fathers should consider our immediate needs in whatever financial arrangements they may decide upon in this Chapter, leaving it to future Chapters to revise these arrangements to meet our future needs.

--- Page 5 ---
That our Novices and Students be permitted to resume the practice of attending afternoon festivals, and of participating in the Sundays and on the greater Festivals, and of participating in the Retreats on Fridays at the "Via Crucis", in the churches attached to the Retreats in which they reside - the main reasons in support of this suggestion being:
(a) so that our young religious may have frequent opportunities, even prior to Ordination, of hearing sermons and thus intensifying their missionary appetite and their ministerial education;(b) so that our knowledge of and participation in the simple or ordinary liturgical ceremonies be not almost entirely confined to Solemn Mass and Solemn Vespers;(c) as their absence from such functions in recent years has been a source of embarrassing query, adverse comment and even 'admiratio' on the part of the Faithful, at least in Ireland, who attend our churches and who, for no less than generations, have been accustomed to the presence of our Communities at these "popular" functions or devotions;(d) because, in some cases but in circumstances beyond the control of our Local or Provincial Superiors, the decorum and even the minimum completeness of the evening services have seriously suffered through the unsuitability, and often the entire absence, of a lay choir or lay Altar-Servers.
That the approval of Most Rev. Father General be sought, with not even the least suggestion of laxity or abuse, for the re-introduction of the custom or practice - which obtained from time immemorial. in the Anglo-Hibernian Province and for the first twenty-five years of the existence of our Province of Saint Patrick - of permitting our Communities to enjoy an extension of the evening Recreation, with the usual refreshments, on feasts of the 'first class'; but, in order to obviate neglect or interruption of the Regular Observance in Choir, that Night Prayers be recited immediately after supper and prior to the extended recreation; and that this permission or privilege be not availed of during Lent except on the Feast of our National and Provincial Patron, St. Patrick.

--- Page 6 ---
Proposal of Capitular at Capitulars' Conference in November, 1958, that the use of tables and chairs and that the breaking of silence in Coffee Rooms be discussed at the Provincial Chapter.
If the Father Provincial, having heard his Council, promises a postulant for the brotherhood that he may, after Profession, engage in a specified work as his principal method of employment, the promise shall be honoured by all our Superiors.
The promise shall, similarly, be honoured if a Provincial assures a postulant that he may go to our Foreign Mission at least after Final Profession, in the case of brothers, or on the completion of the entire course of studies, in the case of clerics. The promise in these cases shall not be given, however, without the consent of the Ecclesiastical Superior (i.e. Prefect or Bishop) of Bechuanaland.
A note of the promise given shall be placed in the Provincial archives by the Father Provincial who gives it.
That some effort be made to establish uniformity in the conducting of Passionist devotions in our Churches, viz. the Stations of the Cross, also the Rosary during November, etc. The faithful complain that these have become devotion of 'devotion'.

--- Page 7 ---
It is requested that attention be given to the publication of Passionist Literature.
a. At present, books, pamphlets and leaflets of Passionist interest, and devotions are completely lacking, apart from a Prayer Book.b. Many of these publications could be obtained from other countries, but there is no responsible body to finance or promote them.c. That, in each Retreat, there should be a supply of Scapulars, Rosaries of the Five Wounds, Seven Dolours, which are not available generally.
In view of the establishment of a Council of Major Religious Superiors for Scotland, that the position of our houses and communities in Scotland be examined with a view to fulfilling the wishes of the Holy See. (Cf. Draft Constitution, Article 6, Par. 2. Address by the Apostolic Delegate, January 8, 1958. Address by Archbishop of Edinburgh - same occasion).
That someone qualified in Elocution be appointed to teach our Students Elocution in each House of Formal Study.

--- Page 8 ---
The Confraternity of the Passion - its organisation, privileges and promotion.
a. The publication of a new Confraternity Manual is necessary.b. Uniformity in mode of procedure regarding admission.c. Definition of the duties of the Spiritual Director and his authority.d. Propaganda material to promote the Confraternity.
That a suitable religious be appointed to inspect the Archives of each Retreat, and to offer any suggestions as to their better keeping.
That steps be taken to foster a better spirit of study among the priests of the Province.
That a Mass Register be used to note the celebration of the Masses for Lay-brothers on their Feast-days, and during November for their deceased relatives. (Cf. Regulations, par. 265; Decree No. 7, Section 11, XXXVI General Chapter)
Query regarding the observance of Decree No. 37, Section VI, XXXV General Chapter, regarding the celebration of one low Mass for the father and or mother of any lay-brother, novice or cleric in the Retreat where the above mentioned religious is stationed?
That a prohibition be passed, forbidding smoking among our students until they become Professed Priests, and granting to the Provincial alone the power to give dispensations in this matter.

--- Page 9 ---
That items of extraordinary Income and Expenditure be noted in the Administration Book at the end of each year, so that they may be more easily and readily ascertained for the Chapter Statement.