Provincial chapter 1899 convocatory letter

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15th Provincial Chapter 1899. 7/3/16/1 Gregory of St. Joseph, Provincial of the Province of St. Joseph. To the Very Rev. Fathers, Consultors, Rectors, Superiors, Masters of Novices, Rev. Fathers, Students & Brothers, Health and Benediction in the Lord. THE time prescribed by Our Holy Rule for holding our Provincial Chapter is now drawing nigh. It gives us great pleasure, therefore to announce to you that our Most Rev. Fr. Bernard Mary of Jesus (General) has appointed Sunday, July 9th, for the opening of the 15th Provincial Chapter of our Province and Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross, Dublin, as the place where it is to be held. It is a wise provision of our Constitutions which gives the Superiors of each Province an opportunity of coming together at stated times to take into consideration the moral condition of the Provinces committed to their care. No greater misfortune can befall a religious institute than to loose the spirit of its Founder. When this happens, its usefulness and benefit to the Church, as well as its power of sanctifying the members belonging to it, has passed away. God grant that such a misfortune will never befall our Congregation. It is our duty, however, to take every precaution to prevent such a calamity. This, then, is one of the objects for which both General and Provincial Chapters are convoked. When recently attending our General Chapter in Rome, it was our privilege to kneel at the feet of the Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII., and ask his blessing for the Religious of our Province and a special blessing for the coming Provincial Chapter. In granting our request, His Holiness was pleased to ask us to impress on the Capitular Fathers the obligation and necessity of cultivating a love for holy meditation and prayer, a spirit of recollection, strict observance of Rule as also ardent zeal for the salvation of souls. This paternal counsel of the Vicar of Christ will, I am sure, receive all the respect and attention it deserves, not only from those to whom it is addressed, but from all the Religious of our Province. In order, however, that the Congregation in our Province may retain the spirit of our Holy Founder, it is of the first importance that the Superiors of the Province be lovers of regular observance and strict discipline, that they go before their brethren and encourage them to the practice of a holy life both by word and example. This is the second and all-