Acts of the Nineteenth Provincial Chapter
of the Province of St. Paul of the Cross
August 17th to 27th, 1917
St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburgh, Penna.

PRELIMINARY

Our Nineteenth Provincial Chapter having been duly announced by Very Rev. Father Provincial to be held in the Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 20th day of August, 1917, the Capitular Fathers assembled at the appointed place in time for the usual preliminary meetings.

Almost synchronously with our last Provincial Chapter there began a war which bids fair to be unequalled in the world’s history for bloodshed, the misery and the suffering it has brought upon mankind. The conflagration has spread to our own beloved country, so that now it may almost be said that the devouring flames are ruthlessly licking up the whole surface of the earth. And now when the mighty struggle is fiercest, another event occurs, which we would like to consider coincident with the opening of our present Provincial Chapter. The Vicar of Christ, the great Shepherd of Christendom, has raised his voice, gently yet mightily, calling upon the nations of the earth to lay down their arms, to bring back the blessing of peace, and to live once more as brothers in Jesus Christ and children of their one Heavenly Father.

The Superiors of the Province, assembled in Chapter, loyal sons of their great spiritual Father, and loyal citizens, even above the shadow of suspicion, of their beloved United States, raise their voices on the one hand with Christ’s Vicar, that peace may be restored to the world, and on the other, plead Heaven most earnestly that the country which they love may come out of this war with untarnished honor and undiminished glory.

Knowing full well that there is a peace which the world cannot give, an interior peace, which comes only from the faithful observance of God’s precepts and counsels the Capitular Fathers are now gathered together with the approval and blessing of their Higher Superiors, not alone to elect wise, prudent and kind Superiors, but also to enact such regulations as may be necessary to ensure a continuance of the peace and blessing of God upon the Province.

On the morning of August 17th, all the Capitular Fathers met in the Chapter room for the first preliminary meeting. Prayer being said, the Very. Rev. Father Alfred of St. John, Provincial of the Province of the Holy Cross, presented the credentials, by which Most Reverend Father General authorized him to preside at the Chapter. Father Herbert of St. Michael was then chosen Secretary of the preliminary meetings. The Superiors then delivered up their seals of office, together with their Litterae Patentes, and duly handed in the various documents required by Canon Law and by our usages, viz., the certificate “de celebratione Missarum,” together with the inventories of house and church furniture, and the financial statements of the several Retreats. These papers were entrusted to a Committee for examination. The remainder of this meeting, as well as the meetings which followed, was devoted to the discussion of various matters proposed for deliberation during the Chapter.

On the afternoon of Sunday, August 19th, after the Capitular Fathers had assisted at Vespers with the Community, a most effective sermon was delivered in the Choir by Very Rev. Father Valentine of St. Joseph. This good Father made a profound impression on his hearers by the clearness and force with which he set forth the qualities of a good superior, and the motives which should actuate the Capitular Fathers in the choice of men, who are to rule the Province.

FIRST SESSION.

On the morning of August 20th was sung the customary Solemn High Mass of the Holy Ghost. At half-past eight, the solemn procession moved from the church to the Chapter room, where the usual prayers were recited and then the Community withdrew leaving the Capitular Fathers to perform the impressive acts prescribed by our ceremonial. Thus the Chapter was formally opened.

The roll of electors was called, and the following responded to their names:

Very Rev. Fr. Alfred of St. John, President.
Very Rev. Fr. Clement of St. Peter, Provincial.
Very Rev. Fr. Stainslaus of Most Holy Redeemer, 1st Consultor.
Very Rev. Fr. Valentine of St. Joseph, 2nd Consultor.
Very Rev. Fr. Matthias of St. Ann, Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Very Rev. Fr. Herbert of St. Michael, Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, New York.
Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian of the Holy Family, Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat, West Hoboken, N. J.
Very Rev. Fr. Justin of the Infant Jesus, Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Baltimore, Md.
Very Rev. Fr. Maurice of Our Lady Perpetual Help, Rector of St. Ann’s Retreat, Scranton, Penna.
Very Rev. Fr. Alexis of the Visitation, Rector of Blessed Gabriel’s Retreat, Brighton, Mass.
Very Rev. Fr. George of St. Michael, Master of Novices.

The absolution “ad cautelam” having been given, and the prescribed Decrees of the Holy Office and the Council of Trent having been read the Chapter was declared canonically convened.

Father Herbert of St. Michael was elected Secretary of the Chapter. Fathers Alexis of the Visitation and Maurice of Our Lady of Perpetual Help were chosen to be scrutineers of the elections.

The Very Rev. Father President then delivered a brief address to the Fathers, after which the hymn “Veni Creator” was sung with the usual prayers.

After the oath “de secreto servando” was administered by the Very Rev. Father President, the merits of those eligible to office were discussed. At noon hour, this first session was brought to a close with prayer.

SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH SESSIONS.

In the afternoon of August 20th, and also in the morning and afternoon of August 21st and 22nd, the Fathers continued the discussion of the merits of those eligible to office. Each session was opened and closed with the usual prayer.

SIXTH SESSION.

On the morning of August 23rd, the sixth session was opened with the customary prayer. The reports of the various Committees, particularly that on the financial condition of the Province, were submitted and found satisfactory. The following decrees were unanimously adopted at this session:—

1. The Chapter ordains that branches of the Benefactor’s Society be established in all our Retreats, each branch participating in the daily Mass offered at West Hoboken. The Society shall be under the supervision of Very Rev. Father Provincial and subject to his regulations.

2. After each semi-annual examination at the Preparatory College, a Chapter shall be held by the Faculty to determine the fitness of each boy to continue his studies. A report of this chapter shall be sent to Very Rev. Father Provincial; and a record kept in the archives of the Preparatory College. Should it ever be necessary to expel a boy, the chapter shall be called, and its decision sent to Very Rev. Father Provincial, in whom alone the power of expulsion resides.

3. The Chapter decides that the Canonical Rector of our new Preparatory College will “ex officio” be Director of the Students.

4. The Chapter ordains that the Very Rev. Father Provincial and his Consultors shall have the new Ratio Studiorum recently approved by Rome, put into execution as soon as possible.

5. The Chapter decrees that hereafter our Students not in Major Orders and our Lay Brothers shall wear secular collars and ties of uniform pattern, when they go out in citizen’s dress. This legislation is not obligatory on the Brothers, who now have perpetual vows.

6. The Chapter, amending a former decree of the Fourteenth Provincial Chapter, hereby declares that Father Rector may authorize the Lector of Students to correct the reading in the refectory and choir.

This session was then brought to a close with prayer.

SEVENTH SESSION.

The Capitular Fathers met again in the afternoon of the 23rd of August for the seventh session of the Chapter. After the usual prayer, discussion of the various propositions was resumed, and the following Decrees were unanimously adopted:—

1. The Chapter directs the Very Rev. Father Provincial and his consultors to apply to Rome for permission to contract such debt as may be necessary to complete the new Preparatory College in Dunkirk. This debt is to be borne by the Retreats of the Province pro rata.

2. The Chapter recommends that all the Houses of the Province, especially St. Ann’s Retreat at Scranton, Pennsylvania, take up the work of Laymen’s retreats as far as possible.

3. The Chapter recommends that in view of the increasing number of Religious, the Provincial and his Council take up immediately the question of a new foundation, especially as a favorable offer has been made by a Canadian Archbishop.

4. The Chapter ordains that Very Rev. Father Provincial and his consultors shall appoint a Committee to revise the Directorium of the Missions.

5. The Chapter decrees that on account of grave inconveniences the Hour of Sext shall be chanted with None & Vespers during the season of Lent.

6. The Chapter ordains that Very Rev. Father Provincial and his consultors shall compile a new summary of the Decrees of our Provincial Chapters.

After these Decrees were finished, the session closed with prayer.

EIGHTH SESSION.

The eighth session was held on the morning of August 24th. The opening prayer having been said the Chapter discussed the status of our parishes. The following Decrees were unanimously adopted:—

1. At the last Chapter, the Pastorate of our Monastery Parishes was separated from the Rectorship. Whilst experience proves that this has been an advantage to the communities and our Parishes, inasmuch as two men now bear the burden formerly borne by one, it has nevertheless given rise to many inconveniences, which the Venerable Chapter is anxious to eliminate.

The Chapter is loathe to reunite the two offices, but now insists that whilst the Pastor has full charge of the Parish, the Rector shall act as the Provincial’s representative, and have a general supervision of all parochial affairs.

The regulations of the Parish Priests shall be revised by the Provincial and his Consultors in conformity with this legislation.

2. The Chapter wishes to emphasize once more the following Decree of a former Provincial Chapter: “It is the Rector’s duty to see that no one receive idle visits or lose time in the parlor. No visit is to be paid without previous permission from the Superior, who must not tolerate useless ones. If a Religious, being out, thinks it necessary to make a call, he shall acquaint the Superior of the fact on his return.”

This session closed with the customary prayer.

NINTH SESSION.

In the afternoon of August 24th, the Capitular Fathers met again for the ninth session. After the usual prayer, the following Decree was adopted:

1. The Chapter reminds the Father Rectors that in the proper custody of the Retreat Archives is implied the serious obligation of assuring themselves with the aid of legal experts, that the deeds, mortgages, liens and other legal documents contained therein, are properly drawn up and recorded, so that the properties of the Retreat are in no way endangered.

Duplicate copies of all legal documents must be provided at once, so that in no event shall the Archives fail to contain, either the original or the duplicate of each document belonging to the Retreat.

All property lines, other than those fronting on public highways, must be surveyed and permanent markers placed, in order that future Rectors may from survey maps verify the legal holdings of the Retreat.

The Chapter directs that immediate steps be taken to fulfil each and every provision or condition required by the Charters of our Retreats.

The Chapter directs that the By-Laws in general and the method of electing Trustees in particular be in accord with legal statutes; that the members of each Local Chapter be and hereby are constituted members of the legal Corporation; that the Trustees, required by the legal charters of our Retreats, be composed of the Rector, Vice Rector, and the Fathers of the Local Council, according to the number required by law, in order of their election; all the above officers to be elected on the accession of a new Rector.

2. In compliance with a Decree of one of our General Chapters, the Venerable Chapter now considered the conduct of our Lay Brothers; and whilst it is true that there are a few of our Lay Brothers whose conduct is not altogether commendable, still the great majority of them are exemplary and self-sacrificing Religious. The Chapter takes occasion to recommend that the Brothers remove themselves more and more from the world and its spirit, that through prayer and work they may promote their personal sanctification.

As no further propositions were submitted to the Capitular Fathers, the Very Rev. Father President announced that it was time to proceed to the elections. At this juncture, the Very Rev. Father Justin of the Infant Jesus arose and stated to the Fathers that he could not be considered a candidate for office on account of impaired condition of his health. The voting for Provincial then began. On the sixth ballot, Rev. Fr. Theodore of the Assumption, Vice-Rector of Blessed Gabriel’s Retreat, Brighton, Mass., was elected. The Secretary published the decree of election; and word was immediately sent to Father Theodore. The session then closed with prayer.

TENTH SESSION.

On the morning of the 25th of August, the Fathers again assembled in the Chapter room. Word was received from Father Theodore that he resigned the office of Provincial. The Chapter agreed not to accept his resignation, and notice was again forwarded to him. Having received his resignation a second time, the Chapter proceeded to vote again for Provincial. On the sixth ballot, notwithstanding his protest, Very Rev. Father Justin of the Infant Jesus was elected. The Secretary at once published the decree of his election. The good Father arose, and seeing it was so evident that the Capitular Fathers wished him to sacrifice the consideration of his health, bowed with deep emotion to the Will of God and accepted the burden with thanks. He moreover assured the Fathers that it would be his aim during the next three years to give up all for the welfare of his Brethren that he might bring them to the Feet of Jesus Crucified. The Community was notified and all came to the Chapter room to render homage to the new Provincial. Then all withdrew to the church, where the solemn services were held in thanksgiving. After a short recess, the Chapter began voting for the first Consultor. On the sixth ballot, Father Theodore of the Assumption was elected. The Secretary published the decree of his election; and word was sent to him. The session then closed with prayer.

ELEVENTH SESSION.

The Chapter assembled again in the afternoon of August 25th, and after the opening prayer, resumed the elections. The Capitular Fathers were informed this time, that Father Herbert of St. Michael resigned his passive voice in order to accept the position of Secretary to Father Provincial. Having word from Father Theodore that he accepted the office of First Consultor, the voting for second Consultor began immediately. Father Sebastian of the Mother of Mercy was elected on the sixth ballot. The Master of Novices was next considered; and on the sixth ballot, Very Rev. Father Stanislaus of the Most Holy Redeemer was elected. The Secretary published the decree of election. Being one of the Capitular Fathers, Father Stanislaus immediately arose and accepted the office. Very Rev. Father Matthias of St. Ann was re-elected Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburgh, Pa., on the sixth ballot. After the Secretary published the decree of his election, he arose and accepted the office. On the sixth ballot, Very Rev. Father Clement of St. Peter was elected Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, New York. The decree of election was read by the Secretary; and Father Clement arose and accepted the office. Next in order was the Retreat of St. Michael the Archangel; and on the sixth ballot, Father Dominic of the Sorrowful Virgin was elected Rector of that Retreat at West Hoboken, N. J.

As soon as the Secretary published the decree of the election, Father Dominic was called to the Chapter room, and humbly accepted the office. Father Hilarion of the Sacred Heart was the next one elected to be Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Baltimore, Md., on the sixth ballot.. The Secretary published the decree of election; and word was sent to Father Hilarion. The Chapter then elected on the sixth ballot, Father Patrick of the Sorrowful Mother, as Rector of St. Ann’s Retreat, Scranton, Pa. The Secretary published the decree of election; and notice was sent to Father Patrick. For Blessed Gabriel’s Retreat at Brighton, Mass., Father Colman of the Immaculate Conception was elected Rector on the sixth ballot. The Secretary published the decree of his election; and the Father was at once notified. As all the elections were finished the session closed with prayer.

TWELFTH SESSION.

The twelfth session was called on Sunday afternoon, August 26th. The opening prayer was said; and the Very Rev. Father President announced that he had received word from the Fathers recently elected accepting the offices entrusted to them. The Acts of the Chapter were then read and amended.

The Fathers with one voice gladly thanked the Very Rev. Father President for the zeal, wisdom and charity with which he had directed the deliberations and work of the Chapter.

The session closed in the usual manner with prayer.

THIRTEENTH SESSION.

In the afternoon of August 27th, the Capitular Fathers met for the last time. The session opened as usual with prayer. The Acts of the Chapter were then read and approved.

The Very Rev. Father President then asked the Capitular Fathers if they had anything further to propose, and all answering in the negative, he again asked them if they thought it proper to bring the Chapter to a close, to which they replied unanimously in the affirmative.

The newly elected Superiors then made the required Profession of Faith. The Very Rev. Father President confirmed all the elections.

Finally with gratitude to God, the Capitular Fathers affixed their signatures as follows:—

Very Rev. Fr. Alfred of St. John, President.
Very Rev. Fr. Clement of St. Peter, Provincial.
Very Rev. Fr. Stanislaus of Most Holy Redeemer, 1st Consultor.
Very Rev. Fr. Valentine of St. Joseph, 2nd Consultor.
Very Rev. Fr. Matthias of St. Ann, Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Very Rev. Fr. Herbert of St. Michael, Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, N. Y.
Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian of the Holy Family, Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat, West Hoboken, N. J.
Very Rev. Fr. Justin of the Infant Jesus, Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Baltimore, Maryland.
Very Rev. Fr. Maurice of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rector of St. Ann’s Retreat, Scranton, Penna.
Very Rev. Fr. Alexis of the Visitation, Rector of Bl. Gabriel Retreat, Brighton, Mass.
Very Rev. Fr. George of St. Michael, Master of Novices

HERBERT OF ST. MICHAEL,
Capitular Secretary.