Acts of the Fifth Provincial Chapter
of the Province of St.Paul of the Cross
Held in the Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross, Pittsburg, PA.
From August 11th to 14th, 1875

PRELIMINARY.

How grateful should we be to Almighty God! At a time when religious persecution is raging in many fair lands of the continents, and religious corporations are, by the tyranny of lawless rulers and the cupidity of ambitious men, forced to leave their peaceful homes. The different religious Orders in this great and free American Republic, are allowed to pursue unmolested, that mode of life which they have chosen, and are not only left perfectly free in the exercise of their calling, but are protected, encouraged, and, let us say it, even materially aided in their undertakings.

In the course of the last three years, during which Europe has seen so many religious houses confiscated by godless rulers, and their inmates cast upon the mercy of a cold world, this our young American Province has presented quite a different aspect.

A new Monastery has been completed in the large city of Cincinnati. Ohio, having at present a family of twenty religious; some thirty young men have taken the habit of the Institute, and promise in their own day to become great promoters of the glory of God; a number of missions have been given most successfully in the most prominent cities of the Union, as well as in the humble country villages, and finally, the new and magnificent church of West Hoboken has been completed and solemnly dedicated to the service of God.

Truly, the Fathers assembled to hold the fifth Provincial Chapter, have reason to rejoice and be thankful to God for this his special protection and assistance in their behalf. They are quite confident that their Province has been specially blessed by him whose name it bears, and they hope that by prudent legislation and wise election of Superiors they will be able to continue to increase in lustre before God and man.

The convening of our fifth Provincial Chapter was announced by a circular letter of the Very Rev. F. J. Dominic of the Infant Jesus, bearing date the 8th of May, 1875, appointing the 11th day of August of the present year, for the formal opening of the Chapter, and ordering at the same time special prayers to be offered to Almighty God for its happy issue. In the same circular letter, he summoned the capitular fathers to assemble in the Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross, Pittsburg, Pa., for the 8th of August, in order to be present at the usual solemn Triduum, and take part in the preliminary meetings.

All the capitular fathers being gathered in the above mentioned Retreat at the appointed time, the Very Rev, F. Provincial called them to meet in conference on the morning of the 8th inst. The conference was opened with the customary prayers, and one of the Fathers read the credentials sent by our Most Rev. F. General to the Very Rev. F. J. Dominic, deputing him to preside in his name over this Provincial Chapter with power to confirm the elections.

In this conference and in the other preliminary meetings held on the two following days, the Very Rev. FF. Rectors gave an account of the financial condition of their respective Retreats, Inventories, etc. Various subjects for future discussion were also proposed, and finally, we passed to the examination of the merits of those who are, according to the Holy Rules, entitled to a passive voice, before which examination, however, all the Fathers took the oath de secreto servando. After this examination the capitulars left the room in succession, when also their merits were examined by the rest.

The usual discourse was delivered by Very Rev. F. John Thomas, Master of Novices.

FIRST SESSION.

August 11th, 1875. At 6:30 o’clock A. M. the customary Solemn High Mass de Spiritu Sancto was sung by the Very Rev. F. J. Dominic of the Infant Jesus, President of the Chapter; the two Consultors being respectively deacon and subdeacon, and the rest of the capitular fathers serving as inferior ministers.

The capitulars and the whole religious Community were called again at the hour of 8:30 to assemble in the church, where the Very Rev. F. President lifting up the sacred image of our crucified Savior, intoned the hymn Vexilla Regis and the procession being formed, moved slowly toward the Chapter Room. When there, the Very Rev. F. President recited the prescribed prayers and dismissed the religious Community, the capitular fathers alone remaining.

A short address was now delivered by the Very Rev. F. President to the capitulars, in which he reminded them of the importance of the work before them. After this the names of the capitular electors were called and the following were found present:

Very Rev. F. J. Dominic of the Infant Jesus, Provincial, and President.
Very Rev. F. Victor of the Mother of God, first Provincial Consultor.
Very Rev. F. John Baptist of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary, second Provincial Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Nilus of the Assumption, Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburg, Pa.
Very Rev. F. Basil of St. John the Evangelist, Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, N. Y.
Very Rev. F. John Philip of St. Paul of the Cross, Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat, West Hoboken, N. J.
Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary, Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Baltimore, Md.
Very Rev. F. Guido of St. Joseph, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Very Rev. F. J. Thomas of the Sacred Hearts, Master of Novices.

The Veni Creator and the other prescribed prayers having been recited, the customary acts gone through, the Very Rev. F. President read the protest in his name and in that of each of the capitulars of not excluding the worthy, or admitting the unworthy to the elective votes of this Venerable Chapter. The Rectors also presented to the President the certificates signed by all their priests “de celebratione missarum” and gave up their Pagellas and official seals.

The acts of humiliation were now performed by the President and the rest of the assembled Fathers, the Confiteor was then recited and the usual absolution ad cautelam given by the Very Rev. F. President to the whole Chapter, and by the Very Rev. F. Victor, first Consultor, to the President. After this one of the Fathers read the decree of the Holy Office of August the 5th, 1754.

When all these prescribed preliminaries were over, the Very Rev. F. President proposed the election of a Secretary of the Chapter, the election resulted in the choice of the Very Rev. F. Guido of St. Joseph. In the same manner two Scrutineers were elected in the persons of the Very Rev. FF. Nilus of the Assumption, and Basil of St. John the Evangelist. The Very Rev. F. President then announced to the Fathers that the election of the Provincial Superior of this our Province of St. Paul of the Cross, in North America, came next in order. Hereupon the scrutinies began, and at the fifth balloting, the required number of votes was found to favor the Very Rev. F. J. Thomas of the Sacred Hearts. The decree of his election was immediately framed and read publicly by the Secretary in the following words: “Ego Guido a S. Joseph, nomine meo, et omnium eligentium mihi consentientium, invocata gratia Spiritus Sancti, eligo in Praepositum Provincialem nostrae Provinciae Sancti Pauli a Cruce, Septentrionalis Americae, Admodum Reverendum Patrem J. Thomam a Sacris Cordibus, et electum pronuntio, et coram vobis publico. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. The newly elected falling on his knees humbly begged of the President and of all the electors to release him from the obligation of taking upon himself such a charge, but all to no purpose; for the Fathers did not wish to yield to his entreaties: he was obliged to resign himself to God’s holy Will. The newly elected Provincial received the usual acts of homage from the capitulars and from the whole Community, which was called for this purpose. All then repaired to the church to offer thanks to God by the solemn chant of the Te Deum.

Immediately after this, the electors returned to the Chapter Room to continue the session. The Very Rev. F. President proposed the election of the first Consultor, which was at once proceeded to, and at the second scrutiny a sufficient number of votes favored Very Rev. F. Victor of the Mother of God. The decree of his election was published by the Secretary. He humbly thanked the Fathers and promised to discharge his duties to the best of his abilities. Next came the election of the second Consultor which was effected at the third ballot in the person of the Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary: for him also the Secretary immediately published the decree. The President now requested the capitular fathers to ballot for the important office of Master of Novices, which at the first scrutiny resulted in the election of the Rev. F. Amadeus of the B. V. Mary. The Secretary framed and published the usual decree of his election.

The hour being still early, the President ordered the Fathers to provide with a Rector this Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross. At the first scrutiny the necessary number of votes were found to effect the canonical election of the Very Rev. F. J. Dominic of the Infant Jesus, actual President of the Chapter: the Secretary as usual published the decree of his election. The elected, however, declared his determination not to accept the office: but the capitular fathers unanimously refusing to receive his resignation, he declared that he would refer the matter to the decision of our Most Rev. F. General, so the matter ended, and the choosing of a Rector for the Retreat of St. Mary, Dunkirk, N.Y. was proceeded to. The Very Rev. F. Basil of St. John the Evangelist, was elected at the first ballot, and the decree of his election was at once published by the Secretary.

The next election in order was that of a Rector for the Retreat of St. Michael West Hoboken, N. J., which was ended at the first scrutiny, the Very Rev. F. Nilus of the Assumption, having received the necessary number of votes to constitute his election; the Secretary published the usual decree.

The Retreat of St. Joseph, Baltimore, Md., was now the object of the Fathers’ attention; at the first scrutiny the Very Rev. F. John Baptist of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary, was elected Rector, and though he endeavored to induce the Fathers to accept his proffered resignation, he was compelled to yield and. submit to the Divine Will.

As there was but one Retreat left to be provided for, the Fathers commenced balloting, but the hour of dinner having arrived, the session was closed by the President with the usual prayers.

SECOND SESSION.

At 3 o’clock P. M. of the same day, the sound of the bell summoned the Fathers to the Chapter Room. The prayers having de more been recited, the scrutiny for the election of a Rector of the Retreat of Holy Cross, Cincinnati, Ohio, was resumed, and the Very Rev. F. Guido of St. Joseph was elected at the first ballot. The elected being the Secretary of the Chapter, the decree of his election was published by the Very Rev. F. Nilus of the Assumption, first Scrutineer.

The elections having thus been happily and speedily concluded the Secretary made an official report of them, sending a copy to each Retreat.

The Very Rev. F. President here reminded the Fathers again of his fixed purpose, not to accept the office of Rector of this Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross. Whereupon one of the capitulars proposed that he leave the room for a few minutes, in order that they might be more free in expressing their opinion relative to his case. He willingly acceeded to this proposal and withdrew; the Fathers having then maturely weighed his reasons, considered them insufficient to justify their accepting his resignation; he, however, persisting in his refusal, the subject was dropped.

Different practical matters were now discussed by the Fathers, regarding which they deemed it proper not to make any decree. The securing of the permanent administration of St. Michael’s German church, Pittsburg, Pa., was next taken up by the Fathers, and finding that some information was necessary, the President appointed the Very Rev. FF. Charles and Nilus to obtain this, and report.

The Fathers desiring to preserve the traditional practices of our Congregation, regarding the ceremonies of the Church for the various festivals of the year, requested the Very Rev. F. Provincial to have translated our Manual of Ceremonies, and to cause a sufficient number of copies to be printed.

The Venerable Chapter reminds all our religious of the prohibition to carry books from one Retreat to another. In case, however, of real necessity, it is requisite to have a written permission from the Very Rev. F. Provincial; our houses being now provided with good libraries, the excuse of their insufficiency exists no longer. Our priests and students are likewise forbidden, in force of a decree of a General Chapter, to take with them more than one set of Breviaries. The respective Rectors should remember, that it is a duty incumbent on them to examine the trunks of their religious, especially when they leave one house to become members of another. The session having been rather protracted, it was brought to a close by the usual prayers.

THIRD SESSION.

August 12th. The signal for meeting was given at the hour of eight, and was promptly answered by all the Fathers: the usual prayers having been recited, the business of this morning was commenced by the Fathers proposing the compilation and printing of a manual or directory for missions, suitable to the condition of the country, after the manner of that used by our old model missionaries, including those regulations which were adopted by our second Provincial Chapter. The carrying into execution these resolutions was left to the Very Rev. F. Provincial and his Consultors.

Our American Province being now sufficiently spread and well established, one of the Fathers suggested the expediency of writing the Chronicles of the Province, the suggestion met with unanimous approval, and the Very Rev. F. Provincial was forthwith asked to appoint one to collect materials from the different houses and commence the work. The hour for closing the session having arrived, the usual prayers were recited and the Fathers dispersed to meet on the following morning.

FOURTH SESSION.

August 13th. On this morning the Fathers assembled at the hour of 8:30, the meeting was opened more solito by the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The President then produced some letters, requesting the Secretary to read them for the Fathers. Their contents were carefully noted and left to the prudent judgement of the Provincial and his Consultors.

During the session the newly elected Master of Novices, Very Rev. F. Amadeus of the B. V. Mary, arrived from Baltimore, and was called to the Chapter Room to be officially notified of his election.

The Fathers spent the remaining portion of the session in discussing points of minor importance for mutual information. The session closed as usual.

FIFTH SESSION.

The Fathers met again at 5 o’clock P.M. of the same day. The object of this short session was to have the Acts of the Chapter read and revised. Various suggestions were made and taken into account. The hour for the Novena having arrived the session was closed with prayer.

SIXTH SESSION.

August 14th, 10 A. M. After this sixth session had been opened by prayer, a considerable portion of time was spent by the Fathers in discussing the expediency of taking steps towards making a new foundation in this Province. They were all of opinion that the actual flourishing condition of the Province would fully justify such a proceeding. Divers opinions were expressed with reference to the locality for such a foundation, after which it was concluded that the F. Provincial and his Consultors should take the matter in hand, having previously obtained the due permission from our Most Rev. F. General.

SEVENTH AND LAST SESSION.

August 14th, 5 P. M. In this last session, after the usual prayers, the Acts of the Chapter were read by the Secretary, and such alterations were made as the prudence and wisdom of the Fathers suggested.

The Fathers before closing this Chapter deem it their duty to recommend to all the religious of our Province the faithful observance of that point of our Rule, which forbids them to enter the rooms of our brethren without permission. In connection with this, they also request the FF. Rectors to insist on the practice of holy silence; confident that if these above mentioned points be faithfully observed, we shall preserve the characteristic mark of the followers of Christ, fraternal charity.

Hereupon the Very Rev. F. President asked the capitulars if they had anything more to propose, and as all the Fathers answered in the negative, he again asked them if they thought proper that they should conclude the Chapter; to which question they all answered in the affirmative.

Now the Fathers being all of one mind and heart in giving thanks to the Giver of all good gifts for the favors and blessings bestowed upon our Province, and especially upon the present Chapter, before appending their signatures to these Acts, earnestly exhort all our religious to remain faithful to our traditions and jealously preserve the great legacy which was left us by our Holy Founder, viz.: the spirit of prayer, of poverty and of solitude. Here the newly elected made the profession of faith.

Very Rev. F. J. Dominic of the Infant Jesus, Provincial, and President.
Very Rev. F. Victor of the Mother of God, first Provincial Consultor.
Very Rev. F. John Baptist of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary, second Provincial Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Nilus of the Assumption, Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburg, Pa.
Very Rev. F. Basil of St. John the Evangelist, Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, N. Y.
Very Rev. F. John Philip of St. Paul of the Cross, Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat, West Hoboken, N. J.
Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary, Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Baltimore. Md.
Very Rev. F. Guido of St. Joseph, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Very Rev. F. J. Thomas of the Sacred Hearts, Master of Novices.

Guido a S. Joseph,
Secretarius Capitularis.