Acts of the Ninth Provincial Chapter - 1887 - Passionist Historical Archives

Acts of the Ninth 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 25th to 30th, 1887.

PRELIMINARY.

The Ninth Provincial Chapter of our Congregation in these United States of America, was convoked under the most favorable auspices. Whatever internal discord there may be among Nations and conflicts of opinion among men, externally the whole world is at peace. All Catholic hearts are gladdened in celebrating the Golden Jubilee of our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII. In every part of the civilized world our holy religion is marching onward with rapid strides. The aurora of brighter days has appeared, and men of sound principle, even those devoid of faith, look up to the Church and her glorious Pontiff, with more thoughtful regard. They see in her and in the powerful religious organizations, which are her strength and her glory, the only means for rebuilding the shattered structure of intellectual, moral and religious society. The persecutions which decimated religious orders in Europe have abated; the ignorance and prejudices which hindered in a measure their rapid growth in our own fair land have died away, and everywhere the bright era has dawned for those noble champions of the Church her faithful allies in triumph and in trial.

These happy omens together with the remarkable unity, the material and spiritual prosperity of the Order in this country, betoken the special blessing of God on our youthful Province, cheer the religious who have labored so faithfully to preserve the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross, and above all give a new impulse to the venerable fathers who assembled to form the Ninth Provincial Chapter in this country.

On the fourth day of July a circular letter of our Very Rev. F. Provincial was issued convoking the Chapter. The Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross at Pittsburg was the place designated, and August 25th, the day appointed for its solemn opening. At the time prescribed, all the capitular fathers were assembled in the above named Retreat to take part in the holy Triduum of prayer and preliminary conferences.

The first of these meetings was held on the morning of the 22nd of Aug. 1887. Having invoked the grace of the Holy Ghost and the usual prayers recited, a Secretary pro tem., was suggested, and the Very Rev. F. Robert of St. Joseph, was unanimously chosen. A credential letter from our Most Rev. F. General was then read by the Secretary, appointing the Very Rev. F. Lawrence a Maria Auxiliatrice, second Consultor General, as President of the Chapter, with power to confirm the elections and decrees of the same. This announcement was hailed with joy, as all the Fathers had learned to love him, not only as Visitor General and representative of our Most Rev. F. General, but also because of his many personal qualities which have endeared him to our Province.

A guardian of the Chapter room was next appointed and the duty given to Rev. F. Simon. Then the financial statement of each Retreat was examined, and the Very Rev. F. President expressed his great pleasure at the good financial condition of the Province, and complimented the Fathers who had labored so strenuously to bring this about. The Litterae Patentes and seals of office were then delivered into his hands, with the certificates of the faithful custody of the Archives, the celebration of Masses, the regular reading of the decrees and the Inventories of each Retreat. All were found correct, and then in the four preliminary meetings that followed, several matters pertaining to the welfare of the Province were proposed and the merits of those eligible to office discussed, the oath de secreto servando having been previously administered by the Very Rev. F. President to all the capitular fathers.

On the afternoon of the 24th, all the Fathers assisted at Vespers in the choir, and before the entire Community, the Very Rev. F. Provincial delivered a most forcible sermon on the great responsibility of the capitular fathers, and the disinterested motives that should govern their actions during the Chapter.

FIRST SESSION.

On the morning of the 25th of Aug., the feast of St. Bartholomew, at 8 o’clock Solemn High Mass De Spiritu Sancto was celebrated by the Very Rev. F. Provincial with the Very Rev. Consultors as deacon and subdeacon, the other fathers capitular acting as ministers or assisting in choir. It was a solemn scene indeed to witness the venerable fathers, in whose hands the reins of government had been placed for the last three years, and on whose decision now depended the future welfare of our flourishing Province. It was touching to see them gathered around the Altar, imploring the God of Light to guide them, and seeking through the merits of His Divine Son, wisdom to determine their choice for those who would govern the faithful band of followers pledged to promote the remembrance of His sacred Passion throughout the entire land. More solemn still and soul inspiring was the scene, when after Mass, the Ven. President of the Chapter, standing on the altar steps, with the entire religious Community gathered around him, and holding aloft in his hands the sacred image of Christ crucified, intoned the hymn of triumph Vexilla Regis. Following the Very Rev. F. President all the Community proceeded to the Chapter room chanting the hymn as they went. Arrived there the usual prayers were sung at the foot of the altar, and then all departed save those who had an active voice in the Chapter. The fathers capitular were now addressed by the Very Rev. President who delivered to them a most beautiful latin allocution, dwelling briefly but very forcibly on the goodness, the discipline and knowledge that should characterize those who are chosen to be Superiors. He also pointed out the dangers to which their office expose them, and insisted that only such should be chosen, whose spirit of discretion, zeal for regular observance and rectitude of life, render them worthy the honor and the burden of government. After this the roll of electors was called by the Secretary and the following were found present.

Very Rev. F. Lawrence a Maria Auxiliatrice, second Consultor General and President of the Chapter.
Very Rev. F. John Thomas of the SS. Hearts, Provincial.
Very Rev. F. Benedict of St. Francis, first Provincial Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary, second Provincial Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Guido of St. Joseph, Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburg, Pa.
Very Rev. F. Stephen of Holy Mary, Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, N.Y.
Very Rev. F. William of St. Peter, Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat, West Hoboken, N.J.
Very Rev. F. Sebastian of the Mother of Mercy, Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Baltimore, Md.
Very Rev. F. Frederick of St. Michael, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Very Rev. F. Robert of St. Joseph, Rector of Sacred Heart Retreat, Louisville, Ky.
Very Rev. F. Paul Hyacinth of St. Joseph, Rector of Holy Mary’s Retreat, Toluca, Mex.
Very Rev. F. Aloysius of the Passion, Master of Novices.

The Veni Creator was then sung and the customary prayers recited, after which the other formulas required by the Sacred Canons were complied with, the customary acts of humility performed, and the decree of the Holy Office read. The Fathers then proceeded to ballot for the election of the Secretary of the Chapter, and the unanimous choice fell on the Very Rev. F. Robert of St. Joseph. Two Scrutineers were then immediately elected; the Very Rev. FF. Stephen of Holy Mary and Frederick of St. Michael were chosen. After this the capitular fathers cast their votes for the election of a Provincial, and on the first ballot, the Very Rev. F. Benedict of St. Francis was chosen to fill the important office. The Secretary having obtained the placet of the electors, immediately formulated and published the decree of his election in the following terms: “Ego Robertus a S. Joseph, nomine meo et omnium eligentium mihi consentientium, invocata gratia Spiritus Sancti, eligo in Praepositum Provincialem, Provinciae Sancti Pauli a Cruce, Septentrionalis Americae, Adm. Reverendum Patrem Benedictum a S. Francisco, et electum pronuntio et coram vobis publico. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.” The newly elected Provincial attempted to express his surprise and reluctance, but overcome with emotion, he modestly acquiesced to the wishes of the Fathers and submitted to the evident Will of God; whereupon he received the congratulations of all present, the customary acts of homage and obedience from the entire Community being deferred at the wish of the Very Rev. President, until the close of the session. The electors at once proceeded to ballot for the election of a first Consultor. At the second scrutiny the Very Rev. F. John Thomas of the SS. Hearts received the required number of votes, and the decree of his election was forthwith published by the Secretary. He thought it useless to oppose the will of the Chapter, and gracefully accepted its decision. The work of election having proceeded thus far with great celerity, the election of the second Consultor began. After a few scrutinies, the Ven. President proposed that the session should close, and the elections thus far attained be published to the entire Community. To this all agreed. The doors of the Chapter room were opened and the entire Community entered. Then with permission of the Very Rev. F. President, the Secretary published the elections of the Very Rev. F. Provincial and his first Consultor. All then paid the customary homage and obedience to the newly elected Superiors and repaired to the church, where, the Most Holy Sacrament exposed, the Te Deum was solemnly chanted and Benediction given by the Very Rev. F. Provincial.

SECOND SESSION.

The second session was opened with prayer as usual, at 3:30 P.M. of the same day, and then the Very Rev. F. President proposed that the balloting for second Consultor be continued. After some time the votes centred on the Very Rev. F. Sebastian of the Mother of Mercy, and with permission of the electors, the Secretary framed and published the decree of his election. Having expressed his own sense of unworthiness for the office, the newly chosen Father thanked the capitulars for the honor conferred upon him, and assured them that as a child of the Congregation he would always seek its best interests. The responsible office of Master of Novices was next in order, and in a short time the requisite number of votes were given to the Very Rev. F. Frederick of St. Michael. The decree of his election was immediately framed and published by the Secretary and with this the session closed more solito.

THIRD SESSION.

August 26th. The third session opened on Friday morning at 9:30, and the fathers capitular began the responsible work of providing Rectors for the different Retreats of the Province. The Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross was the first to claim the attention of the venerable fathers, and after the customary prayers were recited, the balloting began. After a considerable time, the votes that were necessary to constitute an election fell on the Very Rev. F. Guido of St. Joseph, and the decree of his election promulgated. The Fathers immediately began the work of providing a Rector for St. Mary’s Retreat. This was accomplished in a short time, as the second scrutiny showed that the Very Rev. F. Stephen of Holy Mary was the choice of the capitular fathers. The decree formulated and read by the Secretary, the newly elected earnestly sought to be relieved from the burden imposed upon him. But his reasons were considered insufficient and the Very Rev. F. President requested him to submit to the Will of God, which was accordingly done. Now the Fathers willing to continue the session longer began to cast their votes for the Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat. On the second ballot the Very Rev. F. William of St. Peter had more than sufficient to constitute him Rector, and as soon as the decree of his election was published by the Secretary, he vigorously protested, alleging his inability and other reasons why he considered himself unfit to govern this Retreat; but the Very Rev. President persuaded him to obey the voice of the Chapter and submit to God’s holy Will. The third session then closed with the usual prayers, and a feeling of relief that so much work was already accomplished so quickly.

FOURTH SESSION.

On Friday afternoon at 3:30 all the Fathers assembled again and the fourth session began with prayers as usual. St. Joseph’s Retreat was to be provided with a Rector and the fathers capitular forthwith began to cast their votes. After some time, the Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary was elected. The decree made and published by the Secretary, the Chapter continued its work of elections. The Retreat of Holy Cross was quickly furnished with a Superior, the votes having centred at the first scrutiny on the Rev. F. Alexander of St. Paul of the Cross. The decree of his election was formulated at once and published, and soon after the newly chosen Rector entered the Chapter room and with surprise learned of his election. Thanking the Fathers for their consideration of him, and with the assurance he would do his best for the Community, the good Father retired from the Chapter room and the work of elections proceeded. On the third ballot a Rector for the Retreat of the Sacred Heart was chosen, and the Rev. F. Luke of the Mother of God received the requisite number of votes. The last of the elections was now begun, and a Rector for our Mexican Retreat of Holy Mary in Toluca, had to be chosen, at the first ballot the Very Rev. F. Paul Hyacinth of St. Joseph was unanimously elected, and the decree of his election framed and published, the newly elected having thanked the Fathers, the session closed with the usual prayers and ceremonies, and official notices were sent by the Secretary to the different Retreats of the Province.

FIFTH SESSION.

August 27th. On Saturday morning at 9 o’clock, the fifth session opened with the customary exercises. After having invoked light from above the venerable fathers began to consider several points of discipline that regard the welfare of the Province, and the preservation of the true spirit of the Congregation. The several questions proposed and discussed during the preliminary meetings were again maturely considered, one after another, but it was found, after a diligent examination of the decrees of former Provincial Chapters, that upon all these topics there was already sufficient legislation; the Ven. Chapter finding no abuse that required special law, enacted the following decree, to wit: that “The Ven. Chapter having reduced to a more concise form the summary of the decrees of previous Provincial Chapters which was heretofore read every three months in the choir, now decrees that this new summary signed by the Very Rev. F. Provincial be sent at once to each Rector of the Province, and that it be read as heretofore every three months. The said Ven. Chapter, moreover, approves said decrees, and commands each Rector to sedulously care that the same be strictly observed.” After this enactment formulated and published by the Secretary, the session closed with prayer.

SIXTH SESSION.

This session opened at 3:30 P.M. of the same day with the usual invocation of the Holy Spirit to guide the deliberations of the capitular fathers. Discussion on points of discipline and the regular observance continued, and at 6:30 the session closed with the customary prayers.

SEVENTH SESSION.

Sunday August 28th, 3 P.M. This session was short on account of the services held in the church, and after prayer the Fathers considered several topics relating to the temporal welfare of each Retreat. The session closed more solito at 4.

EIGHTH SESSION.

August 29th. On Monday morning at 9:30 the eighth session opened with the usual prayers, and the Very Rev. F. President announced the resignation of the Rector of Sacred Heart Retreat, the Rev. F. Luke of the Mother of God. The capitular fathers having accepted the resignation, proceeded at once to ballot for a new Rector, and at the first scrutiny the Very Rev. F. Aloysius of the Passion was elected. The decree of his election was formulated and published by the Secretary, and then the Fathers resumed their deliberations on points of discipline. The revised summary of the decrees of previous Chapters was then read and approved by the capitular fathers, and with this, the customary prayers recited, the session closed.

NINTH SESSION.

The ninth session opened as usual at 3:30 P.M. Monday. Several points of Canon Law were discussed, such as bear on the relation between Regulars and Bishops. The difficult points explained and beautifully elucidated by our Very Rev. F. President, nothing more remained to be discussed, and having asked each of the capitular fathers if they had anything else to propose, they answered in the negative, whereupon the Ven. President confirmed the elections and decrees of the ninth Provincial Chapter, and proposed that on the following morning the last session be held and the Chapter close with the reading of the Acts by the Secretary, and the signing of the same by all the capitular fathers. With prayer the session closed at 5:30.

TENTH SESSION.

Tuesday August 30th. The tenth and last session opened at 9:30 with the usual prayers. The Very Rev. F. President having asked again if anyone of the fathers capitular had further questions to propose, and a negative answer was given. Then he ordered the reading of the Acts by the Secretary of the Chapter, and declared the Chapter closed. All the Fathers thanking God for the light and blessings bestowed upon them during these days, and rejoicing that with perfect peace and harmony their work was done so quickly, praying God for the prosperity of the Congregation, confirmed these Acts with their signatures as follows:

Robertus a S. Joseph,
Secretarius Capitularis.

Acts of the Ninth 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 25th to 30th, 1887.