Acts of the Twelfth 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 22nd to 27th, 1896.

PRELIMINARY.

The Provincial Chapters held triennially for the election of Superiors and the prudent enactment of necessary legislation, have ever been considered memorable events in the history of this Province. It may, however, be said that never before has the Chapter been assembled under better auspices, and amidst more sanguine expectations than in the present instance. The past three years have been remarkable for the peace of the Communities; the prosperity of the different Retreats; the number and extent of our ministerial labors; the acquisition of many and promising subjects, and the addition of a new Retreat, in which the observance has been kept up for nearly two years. We have, furthermore, been favored with the long coveted and earnestly sought for privilege of welcoming amongst us our Most Rev. F. General, who, with great sacrifice has crossed the Atlantic Ocean and visited the various Communities. He came, moreover, to preside at the Chapter; to direct its proceedings; to infuse into its deliberations the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross, our Holy Founder, and to hold up before the newly elected Superiors, the standard of true progress and enlightened principles. It is quite natural then, that not only the capitular fathers, but all the religious of the Province should have looked forward to this Chapter with ever increasing and ardent expectation.

By a circular letter dated May 14th, the Very Rev. F. Provincial, John Baptist of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary, with the consent of the Most Rev. F. General convoked the Chapter, appointing our Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross, Pittsburg, Pa., as the place where the Chapter should be held, and the 22nd of August, as the day on which it was to be canonically opened. In obedience to this convocation of our twelfth Provincial Chapter, the capitular fathers met in due time in the Retreat of St. Paul. On the morning of Wednesday Aug. 19th, the Fathers assembled in the appointed place to hold the first preliminary meeting. A temporary Secretary having been chosen in the person of the Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary, the Fathers delivered up their seals of office together with their Litterae Patentes, they then handed in the various documents required by Canon Law and our usages viz.: the certificates de celebratione Missarum; those of the faithful custody of the Archives as well as the inventories of the church and house furniture, together with the financial statements of the several Retreats. A committee was then appointed to examine the financial and other documents thus submitted. In the meeting held in the afternoon of the 19th, various matters for discussion during the Chapter were proposed. The remaining preliminary meetings were held on the 20th and 21st of August. In one of these meetings the committee appointed to examine the financial and other documents, handed in their report, which was found to be entirely satisfactory. Other committees were then appointed to consider and report upon the matters proposed for discussion by the Chapter. To one of these committees was assigned the duty of examining into the status of the students and their studies; another was charged with the duty of revising the summary of the decrees of our Provincial Chapters; a third committee was appointed to examine the financial administration of our Retreats, and the relations between our Rectors and our Vicars; whilst to a fourth committee was assigned the charge of examining the relations between Rectors and the so called assistant pastors, as also missions, together with matters of minor importance. After the oath de secreto servando had been administered by the President, the merits of those eligible to office were discussed; the merits of those extra gremio were first considered; then those comprising the Chapter. In the afternoon of Friday Aug. 21st, after the Fathers composing the Chapter had assisted at Vespers in choir, a discourse was delivered by Very Rev. F. Joseph; it was a clear and forcible exposition of the principles that should guide the Fathers in their choice of Superiors.

FIRST SESSION.

On the morning of the 22nd of August the customary Solemn Mass de Spiritu Sancto was celebrated at the hour of seven, by the Very Rev. F. Provincial, the capitular fathers assisting as ministers; at a quarter before nine the entire religious Community assembled in the church; from thence they moved in procession to the Chapter room preceded by the Most Rev. President carrying the Cross. After the usual prayers had been recited the religious Community withdrew; the fathers of the Chapter alone remaining. The very impressive acts prescribed by the ceremonial were performed, and the Chapter was formally opened. The roll of electors having been called, the following responded:

Most Rev. F. Bernard Mary of Jesus, General and President.
Very Rev. F. John Baptist of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary, Provincial.
Very Rev. F. Joseph of the Mother of Mercy, first Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Robert of St. Joseph, second Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Thomas of Holy Mary, Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburg. Pa.
Very Rev. F. Felix of St. Joseph, Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, N.Y.
Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary, Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat, West Hoboken, N.J.
Very Rev. F. Edward of the Holy Ghost, Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat. Baltimore, Md.
Very Rev. F. Stephen of Holy Mary, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Very Rev. F. Denis of Holy Mary, Rector of Sacred Heart Retreat. Louisville. Ky.
Very Rev. F. Eugene of the Sacred Heart, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Buenos Ayres, S.A.
Very Rev. F. Peter of the Mother of Mercy, Rector of the Retreat of Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Louis, Mo.
Very Rev. F. Sebastian of the Mother of Mercy, Rector of St. Francis’ Retreat, St. Paul, Kansas.
Very Rev. F. George of St. Michael, Master of Novices.

The absolution ad cautelam was then given, the prescribed decrees of the Council of Trent were then read; F. Charles of Holy Mary was elected canonical Secretary; FF. Stephen and Denis Scrutineers, and the Chapter was declared canonically convened. The Most Rev. President here delivered a brief but telling and earnest address, stating the importance of the work which the Fathers were about to perform, The hymn of the Holy Ghost having been sung, the voting for Provincial was commenced. The 15th scrutiny ended the balloting in the election of the Very Rev. F. John Baptist of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary. The Very Rev. Father himself was the only one who exhibited displeasure at this result. He most earnestly begged the F. General to accept his resignation, alleging his unfitness for so onerous and responsible a charge. The Most Rev. President, however, remained inflexible in his unwillingness to accede, and the Father was constrained to submit to this evident manifestation of God’s Will in his regard. The Community was hereupon summoned to tender obedience to the newly elected Provincial. All then proceeded to the church. where the Te Deum was sung and Benediction given by the new Provincial. This ended the first session.

SECOND SESSION.

This session was opened with prayer on Saturday afternoon at the hour of 3; the election of first Consultor was now in order. The seventh ballot showed the election to favor Very Rev. F. Joseph of the Mother of Mercy. After the decree of his election had been published by the Secretary, the Father expressed his thanks and his readiness to fulfill his duties to the utmost of his ability. The electors now turned their attention to the providing the Province with a second Consultor. After very considerable time had been spent in balloting, the choice finally fell on Very Rev. F. Robert of St. Joseph. The Secretary having published the decree of his election, the newly elected thanked the Fathers for the confidence placed in him, assuring them of his sincere desire to prove himself worthy of it.

It now became the duty of the Fathers to elect a Master of Novices for the Pittsburg Novitiate. The first ballot declared in favor of the Very Rev. F. George, thus reelecting him to that important office. The Secretary as usual published the decree of his election.

The Most Rev. F. President here interrupted the work of election by asking the Fathers, that as the election of a Master of Novices for Buenos Ayres should now be proceeded to, whether or not it were better to suspend this election until further information had been obtained. The matter being put to a vote, resulted in the affirmative. The session was here brought to a close more solito.

THIRD SESSION.

The Fathers reassembled on Monday morning at 8 o’clock. After the usual prayers were recited the work of elections was resumed. The various Retreats of the Province had now to be provided with new Rectors. The first in order was that of St. Paul of the Cross, Pittsburg, Pa. The seventh ballot declared in favor of Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary. The decree of his election was at once published by the first Scrutineer.

The Retreat of St. Mary, Dunkirk, N.Y., next claimed the attention of the electors. Before the electors cast their vote the F. General made the following declaration: That on account of the present modification in the observance in that Retreat, its Rector should not be chosen for more than one term. The votes were then taken and the first ballot decided their choice in favor of Very Rev. F. Stephen of Holy Mary. The Secretary hereupon published the decree of his election.

A Rector for the Retreat of St. Michael, West Hoboken, N.J., was now to be chosen. The balloting was continued for a considerable time, but no result having been arrived at during the time that remained, the session was closed in the usual manner.

FOURTH SESSION.

At the hour of three the Fathers again met in the Chapter room to resume the work of balloting for a Rector for the Retreat of St. Michael. After several scrutinies it was found that F. Mark of the Passion was duly elected. The Secretary hereupon published the decree of his election.

The Fathers next proceeded to ballot for a Superior for the Retreat of St. Joseph, Baltimore, Md. The first scrutiny favored Very Rev. F. Edward of the Holy Ghost, the decree of whose election was forthwith published by the Secretary.

The voting was then resumed for the election of a Rector for the Retreat of Holy Cross, Cincinnati, Ohio. F. Albert of the Cross was chosen as the Rector of this Retreat on the fifth ballot. The Secretary immediately published the decree of his election.

The Retreat of the Sacred Heart, Louisville, Ky., was as promptly provided with a Rector; the sixth ballot declaring in behalf of Very Rev. F. Denis of Holy Mary. The Secretary as usual publishing the decree of his election.

As Buenos Ayres is still annexed to this Province, it now devolved on the electors to choose a Rector for the Retreat of that country. On the very first ballot the choice of the Fathers was manifested in the election of Very Rev. F. Eugene, who was thus reelected to the same office and to the same Retreat. The decree of his election was published more solito. This excellent religious protested that his delicate health would not allow of his accepting the office, but all his remonstrances proved fruitless.

The Retreat of Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Louis, Mo., was now to receive a new Rector. The balloting continued during the time that remained for this session, but without any result being reached. The session was accordingly brought to a close by prayer.

FIFTH SESSION.

On the morning of Tuesday at 8 o’clock the Chapter reassembled and after the invocation of the Holy Ghost, proceeded with the work of electing a Rector for the Retreat of St. Louis, Mo. After a somewhat protracted scrutiny the votes were finally found to favor Very Rev. F. Sebastian. The Secretary without delay published the decree of his election. There remained one more Retreat to be provided with a Rector. The Retreat of St Francis, St. Paul, Kansas.

The Fathers accordingly began the work of balloting for this Retreat. Their labor was speedily crowned with success in the choice of the Very Rev. F. Peter of the Mother of Mercy. The good Father hereupon arose and with evident emotion thanked the electors for their approbation. The elections being thus ended and the hour being late the session was closed with prayer.

SIXTH SESSION.

In the afternoon of Tuesday August 25th, the Fathers again met to continue their work. Prayers offered by the President opened the meeting. The committee appointed to examine into the status of our students was now called upon to make their report. It was favorably received and the Chapter in consequence declares as follows:—It favors an orderly and healthy progress in our studies, but as this is to be achieved with a veiw to the special end of our Institute, and according to the Methodus Studiorum, prescribed by the last General Chapter; it emphasizes the importance of the primary over the secondary studies, and reminds all that according to the prescript of the Holy Rule we are to keep far from novelties. The Chapter wishes to impress on our students the necessity of deep, earnest and thorough study: hence it declares that classes are not to be omitted unnecessarily; that half-day walks may be permitted not oftener than twice a month; that the solitary walk is to be spent in manual offices and outdoor exercise; all practise in music and study at that time being forbidden; that literary exercises among the students in free time must be in the presence of the Lector, and not more frequently than twice a month: furthermore, to give the students greater liberty, it is enacted that F. Provincial shall assign them an extraordinary Confessor three times a year and at the annual retreat. They are, moreover, reminded that they have the privilege of choosing an extraordinary twice a year. The students should be most exemplary in giving the signals for the regular observance, and conspicuous in the practice of humility, mortification and retirement. Plays or theatrical performances, and games implying a contest are forbidden. In fine, the circulation of writings among the different classes does not meet with approval. The Chapter recognizes the devoted care and earnest zeal of our Lectors and ardently desires that they be encouraged as much as possible in their high and responsible position. It reminds them, however, of the need of diligent and solid study on their part to meet the exigencies of our times; and hence bids them to abstain as far as possible from outside work, and even from hearing confessions in our own churches, except on Saturdays and the eve of festivals. In discharging the duties of their office let them emulate the example of the Congregation’s model Lector, the Ven. Vincent Strambi. With the consent of the F. General (and until revoked) the autumnal vacations shall begin with Feast of the Assumption and continue till the end of September; the annual examination shall be held, as heretofore, at the end of the scholastic year. The Ven. Chapter enacts that in the ecclesiastical chant, the Ratisbon or Pustet’s edition, be adopted and as far as practicable followed in our Liturgical services.

By order of the F. General, the Chapter forbids the writing of editorials, political or controversial articles, periodical contributions and publications, that have no relation to the special end of our Institute, and may involve us in disputes with others; should this, however, become necessary in extraordinary cases, permission must be obtained from the F. Provincial.

The report of the committee appointed to examine into the financial administration of our Retreats and the relation between our Rectors and Vicars, was next considered. The following was agreed upon: Local Superiors should carefully read and faithfully observe that portion of our Regulations, regarding administration, found in part II Reg. II. No. 15. Furthermore, that no check is to be issued by the Rector without the seal of the Retreat, and which seal is to be kept under two keys; one to be held by the Rector and the other by the Vicar, or by him holding the place of either.

In view of the report submitted on missions, the following enactments were made: That the entire XXIV chapter of our Holy Rules be printed separately, and a copy of the same be given to all our missionaries, and that it will be the duty of the Superior of the mission to assemble the Fathers conducting the mission, and with them read together this XXIV chapter on the morning in which the mission opens; this is to be done before the altar of the Blessed Sacrament, or some other place judged expedient by the same Superior. Moreover, it is enacted that the Superiors of missions check without human respect any kind of uncharitable criticism among the brethren, and persistent delinquents must be reported to the Provincial. That if missionaries visit any of our houses with permission on their way home, their stay there must be counted in the days of rest granted by our Regulations. Regarding the wearing of sandals on missions, the decision of the Most Rev. F. General and his Consultors is to be observed, viz: Sandals are to be used in missions, at least in the church, except in cases where the majority cannot wear them, or the Superior prudently deems it well to dispense. The hour having arrived to close the session, the prayers were recited and the Fathers adjourned.

SEVENTH SESSION.

At 8 o’clock on Wednesday morning the Fathers reassembled. After prayers had been recited, matters under discussion in the previous session, but not entirely disposed of, were again taken up. After considerable discussion the Ven. Chapter united in the following declarations: It reprobates the practice of wearing the hair too long and of cultivating it in a secular manner with studied partings and embellishments which indicate vanity. It forbids the use of perfumes, or silk in clothing, silver watch chains, silver studs and any other object not conformable to religious poverty, among the brethren.

It ordains that the death notices of our religious, annually published in Rome, be translated into English and read publicly in our refectories. It ordains that when notice is received of the death of the parent, or parents of any of our religious, a low Mass of Requiem be said in each Retreat.

The report of the committee on the relations between the Rectors and assistant pastors was next considered. The views of the Fathers on the subject were fully expressed and discussed. The various circumstances attending the parishes connected with our Retreats, as well as those of St. Michael’s German parish, were carefully examined and considered. The Fathers finally decided to make no change in the enactments made in the last Chapter regarding the conduct and management of parishes immediately connected with our Retreats. As regards the German parish of St. Michael, it was agreed that but one additional regulation be subjoined to those already existing and approved for the Fathers of that parish. Various other matters were discussed during the session concerning which it was not deemed advisable to formulate any decrees. At the appointed hour the session was closed with prayer.

EIGHTH SESSION.

The eighth session was opened with the customary invocation of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Considerable time was consumed in considering and discussing the various matters relating to the well-being of the Province. Several points, however, were agreed upon. It was determined that the decrees already made in regard to missionaries submitting their writings to approved examiners should be enforced, and that said examiners be appointed by the Provincial. In answer to a request which had been presented to allow our newly ordained priests to celebrate their first Mass in their native parish church, the Chapter with the approbation of the Most Rev. F. General, decided in the negative. The Fathers having asked the Most Rev. President whether the two books of customs, the one in the Italian and the other in the Latin language, have any binding force, he replied that in accordance with a decision of a General Chapter; said books, as such, had no binding force. Prayers having been recited by the President, this session was closed.

NINTH SESSION.

On Thursday morning at 9 o’clock the Fathers were once more summoned to the Chapter room. After prayers had been recited by the President, the committee deputed to revise the summary of the decrees of our Provincial Chapters handed in its report. The entire morning was spent in commenting upon and making necessary changes in the various decrees of the summary thus presented by the committee. The summary was finally approved and ordered to be read in the choir four times a year. The customary prayers brought the session to a close.

TENTH SESSION.

The last session was held Thursday afternoon. At the appointed hour of 3 the Fathers met for the last time. The Acts of the Chapter were read and approved. A petition from F. Michael of St. Louis, Mo., asking that two of our Italian missionaries be sent to this country to evangelize our Italian Catholics was favorably received and highly commended by the fathers of the Chapter; the Most Rev. F. General assuring them that whilst fully approving the project, he would further its realization to the best of his ability. In conclusion the Ven. Chapter, whilst inculcating a spirit of union and fraternal charity, reprobates in severest terms any unfavorable criticism that may be made among our religious at home and abroad; and particularly condemns such criticism if made in the presence of secular priests or people, and moreover, seeks to encourage a high, noble standard of manliness and brotherly love among our religious.

After concluding the reading of the Acts, F. General added the following declaration: Whilst satisfied in the main with the regular observance maintained in the Retreats of this Province, he recognized the fact that it is very difficult to reconcile the spirit of our Rules with local circumstances; hence at his departure he warmly recommends to all the religious that they do not suffer themselves to be deluded by the temptation that the spirit of our Rules is to be sacrificed to these circumstances. To labor for the welfare of our neighbor is doubtless a necessary duty, but this must be regulated and restricted conformably to the spirit which our Holy Founder has bequeathed to us in the Holy Rules, viz: a spirit of solitude, of prayer, of poverty and of mortification. If the religious, both Superiors and subjects, are careful to preserve this spirit it may be expected, with good reason, that the religious of this Province, will sanctify them selves and sanctify their neighbor. Should they fail to do this, God’s blessing will be wanting, and the most disastrous consequences may be expected. F. General therefore earnestly recommends to all the maintenance of this spirit, for their own welfare in particular, for the wellbeing of the Province and of the entire Congregation. And whilst he thanks all for the truly affectionate reception tendered him in his visit to America, he wishes them all the blessings from heaven that will enable them to correspond with their holy vocation. Before affixing their signatures, the Fathers with one accord, expressed their sincere thanks to the Most Rev. F. President, for the wisdom, prudence and truly fatherly kindness with which he directed the deliberations of the Chapter.

The Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross, August 27th, 1896.

Most Rev. F. Bernard Mary of Jesus, General and President.
Very Rev. F. John Baptist of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary, Provincial.
Very Rev. F. Joseph of the Mother of Mercy, first Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Robert of St. Joseph, second Consultor.
Very Rev. F. Thomas of Holy Mary, Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Pittsburg. Pa.
Very Rev. F. Felix of St. Joseph, Rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, N.Y.
Very Rev. F. Charles of Holy Mary, Rector of St. Michael’s Retreat, West Hoboken, N.J.
Very Rev. F. Edward of the Holy Ghost, Rector of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Baltimore, Md.
Very Rev. F. Stephen of Holy Mary, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Very Rev. F. Denis of Holy Mary, Rector of Sacred Heart Retreat, Louisville, Ky.
Very Rev. F. Eugene of the Sacred Heart, Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Buenos Ayres, S.A.
Very Rev. F. Peter of the Mother of Mercy, Rector of the Retreat of Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Louis, Mo.
Very Rev. F. Sebastian of the Mother of Mercy, Rector of St. Francis’ Retreat, St. Paul, Kansas.
Very Rev. F. George of St. Michael, Master of Novices.

Carolus a Virgine Maria,
Secretarius Capitularis.