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Les cartea. planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent dtre filmAs A des taux de rMuction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 6tre reproduit en un seul clich*. il est film* A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche i droits, et de haut en baa, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 2 3 5 6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISC TEST CHART No. 2) 1.0 1^ 1 2.8 Us. ^ c lis lA II 1 1 ii 12.5 59 1 '*' 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ ^PP'-IED l^/MGE Inc ^S\i 1653 East Maifi Street S'.^S: Rochester, New York 14609 USA '..iSS (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone S=g (716) 288- 5989 -Fax 3CC !1%\ vts RAREi; P M !^%v ivts \ K4Rt:5; , •" ^^ ) I'jf'O CONSTITUTIONS OF THB Sisters of Charity, Servants of the Poor and Sick. KINGSTON : House op Provdbnoe, 1900. ^^^SlTt €>" 'itrj^^r "■?' r*-. •1^ -4 ■i ^■■tf. :?;!: H>H i'Hm 5- ^•Ca i) ■"\ "4- *••« '■• '• i* PART FIRST. constitutions of the Daughters or Sisters of Charity, Ser- vants of the Poor. CHAPTER I. Pnd and Fundamental Virtues of the Institute. 1--The principal end f,.r which God has C nl '""'"• "'"^t''«'''''yh«".<.>- our Lord r •! ,'■"'' "■■' "'•' «<""■<-•«' «nd model of all hunt,, b.v serving Hi.n corporally and spirit- I'Uly in the persons, of (he poor, the sick, the they should endeavor ' , ""^^^ « ™"ins «>>d labor with gre .t dr.i '"' """'^ ''>«« themselves, co,„bf„f4' th^ '''""'' '" f^'f^et °.f the spiHtua, life S^. '"'"■'"'• ''*'"-<='*« t'°n« of Christian chlwtv , """'"'" ~--'=»P«- 2.-Confor.„ablv to 1^ """•'^" ""^ Poor, .^h'ch the sisters w?il t" ™"«"'»«ons, ;«"hfull,. as a .neanreondu ' '" """^''-^ 'J'^y -"ust understand Z.r' '° ""'« '^"<3- n°t "> a religiou., ordeVth "^'' *''«^ «'« »'« tt-ade, sneh not I/'^"^*'^ «"'«"'" vows the duties Of their vt^ation"""""""' """ «« they are ,„ueh ,„ore !! ' "'"""'theless, '^'-''d religious, havii^ TT"^ "'«« '-•'oi^- ■nonastery than the .^ "' '"""^ "o other :f;'-' hut the etrjr:; Th '"^ ^'■'"^•- - oloister but the publi!. . ''"'' f«'"«h; „„ tl>« hospital; no enl '''' °' "'« >^«'d of ,''° "«" but the practl ?',"'«"''• ""-i th«y are obliged to lead ,1/ ""''' '"'^'^^^y. " they were professed i^ aT"f '"'"""^ «« " " ^''o'stered order. CONSTITUTIONS 3 and to comport themselves wherever they nmy be with as much recollection, as much purity of heart and body, as much detach ment from creatures, and as much edifica- tion to all, as if they were dwelling in the solitude of a monastery. They will con stantb bear in mind that they must con- sider the salvation of their souls as of greater importance than all things of earth, and they must neglect nothing which will con- duce to keep them in a state of grace, shun- ning mortal sin more than any other evil and doing all in their power, with the help of Crod, to avoid even venial sin. 3.--T0 obtain of God the graces necessary for this, and to become worthy of the recom- pense which our Lord promis^^s to those who serve the poor, the sisters should applv themselves assiduously to the acquisition o> the Christian virtues, particularh' those which are recommended in the following articles : ^ 4.-They will perform all their exercises spiritual and corporal with humility, sim- P icity and charity, in union with the works "f mercy which our Lord Jesi.s C.h.i.. p^r o \ 4 CONSTITUTIONS formed While on earth hv their intention ^y^.T"'"''''''''^^-^ beginning of eac'h ni 1"^' ^"^ «^ ^^e "ics of the pool- inn, ^^^ '"'■ "'« ser •"U^t know that th. ."'■ ••<""««•• -'"d they ^i'ould animate .he v^Tln'rr? ^"•'"- ««eaeh me„,..e,. thereof i?'!'""'! «« well proper to the Institute '" ""* """* . -'^anteXrtC^f 7-"'^ - '•>« particularly those wh, i! ^^"^ ^^"^t, tion, contempt Of Jfa'd T''"'"' '"''"'«''«■ The, „i„ r' efer"":"/,: n;:^ """«^- those Which are thp m^ . ^""^^ «nd t-tes and in^r ^r'""' '° '''^'^ "ore agreeable and consider ^ '' "''" "'•" able; they will al^ f ^"^ """■" '""'or. Places, and wlile conr.""'" '^' '"-"^^ botherefuseo othe ^^ voluntarily to 'hat they Tl tt TaTedt ''T^'"''^'' «erve to be, consider nlthlh ^'^ '*«" 6- They will "tr''"^'f»»hs. form any'attacL^nt? o":/'*''"^^'^^^ '« ■"ents, persons, relaTve, ^"'"'''' '""'''°>'- eon..ors,and;het^Z— ---; \ .V directing 'nd at the '^>» of the >'• the ser 'ind the.v d virtues te as well the spirit IS of the J Christ, ^ortifica- 3 things. L'es and to their that are honor- lowest «riI.V to nselves iiey de- lults. ves to [uploy- » their ave all CONSTITUTIONS 6 when obedience so ordains, remembering the saying of our Lord, that we are not worthy of Him if we forsake not father, mother, brother and sister, and if we renounce not ourselves and all things earthly in order to follow Him. 7. They will cheerfully endure for the love of God the contradictions, mockeries, calumnies and other annoyances which may come to them, even when they feel they are doing their whole duty, and remember that our innocent Lord, while suffering incom- parably more than they can suffer, prayed for those who crucified Him. Let them look upon these trials as a portion of the cross which He desires them to carry upon earth, that they may merit to be one day with Him in heaven. 8.- Let the sisters repose their fullest confidence in the merciful and loving Pro- vidence of God, and be fully ijersuaded that, if they endeavor on their part to be faithful to their vocation and to the observance of their constitutions, God will ever keep them under His protection and will assist them in all their necessities of soul and body. 6 CONsTTTt'TrONs •'^— Th es ^■ ««d much Jess what h, I ''"''"'■'•^"'ents, f™- 'he poor: no. t" 1 Z "r" '"'" 'hen, o; receive an.vthin/wi ho„ ^h""''' "•"''J""- of the Local Supe.^Il";' ' f«"-»'««ion Porta.,ee the „e. ' ^ '" ™«"ers of i„. CONSTITUTIONS vertvofour I'ttJe wants t^- «i\vavs 'eivantsof in poverty, vviJJ he in ^with the either in anything «ff abso- Tto^ive tistitute, or may ^'nents, n them acquire oission of im- iperior Although the vow of poverty taken in the Institute does not deprive the professed sisters of the ownership of their goods, nor the right of disposing of them, yet the ad- ministration, usufruct and use of these goods are forbidden them. Moreover, l>efore their profession, they may make either a rnivate or public cession of the administra- tion and use of such gocxls to whomsoever they may appoint. If they make such a cession to the Institute it will be voided by their withdrawal from it. Purtherinore, they may insert a clause w the deed of ces- sion where by aforesaid cession may be revok- ed even while they remain in the Institute. But so long as they are bound by their vows they are forbidden to make use of their right to revoke the cession made by them without the consent of the Holy See. The same ap- plies to all piH3perty or goods which may come to them under the title of inheritance or donation after their profession. As to the right of proprietorship, they have the i)<)wer of disposing of their prop erty either by donation, with the permis- sion of the Superior General, or by will, with- 8 CONSTITUTIONS "«uf™et and uTottl •^"''•'i-fation, 'hey wish it to contin-"'"""*"'^'- "»'"«« ^""•ding their prevTouTn' '" '""" "'"^''^- S-Perior, take pro 'ee. fn "7"'"''^'"'' ot the 1"iren.ents of the d. ■ '". '"'«' '^e re- toe foregoing. "' '"»' '^i"! "espect to ^•eeVXrh::r:?-'^-vortoprao- so'lts and so exactiv . """'"'^''d ^y the 'emulated coa.S,.,:''^;^^ '" "" -" tor nothing and to refur™"u "^° ««" ""^'e things of earth ' ?f "°*'"^ «' the should need anythin„ ^h '"'*"'"••'' «i«ter '° the person ZZVu^" "W'^' '™' it ""d vvheti^er she o^ain fn " '° P'°''<^« ''' she will not show amdi .™''"^"' °'' ""t The officers or ]„?. ? '^'"^^^'^'"''tion. ;»'° the wa ts o l:rr" '^'" -^""e "«« in order to 'upl' f'' "'"" "'"" to necessary, |«i„ „"PP'' them with what is superfluities. "^' '=^'«f"' to retrench ^^•- Since th*» cicf« -hat belongs to the In^tZ"' """'^ "- ^t '""te or to an.v par- .^*Kitei CONSTITUTIONS 9 ticiilar sister, without permission, the) must not complain if other sisters have l)een «,nven what they may have expected for themselves. On the contrary, they will rejoice at the opportunities afforded them of ru'acticing holy poverty and mortification If, how ever, they have reason to believe or to doubt that anything has been taken from them without lawful [)ermis.sion, they may mention this to the Superior or some one of the officers, bat to no other. They will be careful not to chanj^e nor lay aside, without, permission, the clothing assicrned them when such clothinc,^ becomes old or does not r)lea3e them; much less will they throw them away, or make them over to suit their individual t ;stes. 12 They will make it a matter of cor.sci- ence to practice economy in the use of the moneys and other things of which t'^ey have the administration, and clearly understand that they would otherwise sin acjainst that poverty which they promised to practice at their profession when they became ser- vants of the poor. To prevent any abuse that mig:ht arise in the practice of holy Irt fONsTlTUTrONS «-d linen to be p,-.,' .edTn "' ">" ^"^ «« what is used t r'; '' "' ""'"^ the Supenor General .v^, H •","""' ""'^ of Provinces will act 'fn """"'''"■■•* < wards their Prov ncial ' '"' W— The., will practice in all th: a« pcsail.le, that linifJ . 'hings.asfar -tonlvthesptuT.r^rLttT^'-^^''- "f union and order i„p"^' """«'«" '"at they will avoid alT ^"""""«ilies, and "uitful sou -ce of d""^"''"''^-'"^^«>« a With this ob;:tivt:r.:^r'^"'-<^- date themselves to the ^^Z hl"'""'"'""- ed at the Mother House where theV"'"'^"" General resides an,I „ . "^^ 'he buperior to the maxims and r ,'"'"' 'heinselves their spirftuarand'^ r "' ,'""^^' '"^^"^ '<- withou't adopL" an r"' ?'''"^'"""^'"' "7y»a,appea,"tothe,r:"^~'«-<' -' wants the, will n.ithe;': Jt: irr ( ONSTITrTrONs to cJothincr, al Superioia will send to ' of the sey '^' '"espective >e the same f'tute, and • « for them »1 Superiors i"e way to • Jnsrs, as far I nourishes t also that f^it-ies, and -always a disorder, accomnio- S prac tic- Superior lem selves there for wtment, ver good ir Cor no- u clothincr. nor Iwad dresses, nor slun .. nor bedding-, nor food, nor furniture, etc;., than HUL'h as are supplied to the sisters in general. If. nevertheless, any sister, after haviuij eon sidered the n)atter l)efore God. thinks that she needs jiny extra eare on account of in disfM^sition.she should frankly propose the uiattt r U) the Sister 8ui)eiior, who, in her turn, will refer it to the SuF)erior General if she deem it proper to do so. 14. — They will also observe holy poverty during sickness in the use of medicine, food. etc., not showint< impatience, nor murujur- inj; when not treated according to their tastes. Above all, they will bear in mind on such occasions that the servants of the poor should not be better treated than their nias- ters; that it is a great hapi)iness for them to suffer for the love of God, Who makes use of this means to enable them to practice patience in order to increase their merit. Besides, they do not know as well as the physician and intirmarian what is best for them, and to these consequently should be left the care of their health. For this 12 CONSTITUTIONS J*eason they wiJJ »«,>». '" the p],,eL and at^r T ""'""">< -'-^^,'t ••"ie. and the ^vi), .f t ''""''^ "^^-^ ''>' "'« 15.-Thev will nnf ! Superior. »vithouttheper»„s,i,,n 'f.u r " ^"«itute >«'=d «!>« cannot dll; ^ ^."'-•"' Superior, fluent reason. "'" " "■'">""t suf- CH.iPrEB III. Chastity. -••^u-'w^ri.vt'i''^"''''-^^^^^ «-id ever; „c ^ext^, " '^"".""''"-' '2, to ''«"''y thesixh^ld" n ""«'•'"'■. foH,id. ""der pain of con " 1 ""' '-•"'"""•'"^".ents violating at t^" "^ " ''""'"'d sin bv 'he vow'ofih^::,,;:"" """ "'^ -•'- -d xiie sister*? "ii 'hoUKhts contraX to tC™""'' '•"^■^^^^ «" ""d will earef„//°av -r"'"' •" '-•''"«"•'•''. '""^ in any w„, /,;/; f ^-r.thin^ that 1 .^^^Kmrn^i.'! CONSTITUTIONS 13 Let the sisters be particularl.v on their guard acrainst affectation in their gait, their mode of speech, in the clothes they wear, etc., as also against indulgence in too much curiosity, especially when they are out on the streets, against vanity, presumption, and unnecessary communication with lay [)eo[)le. In fine, they will carefully avoid everything that might occasion even susjiicion as to their fidelity to their holy vow of ch.islity, such a suspicion, even unfounded (m fr.ct! being calculated to do injury to the indi- vidual concerned, and what is even worse, to the good name and re{)utation of the Institute. 17.— Inasmuch as holy modesty is neces- sary to the sisters not only that they may edify others, but also to enable them to preserve that angelic purity which is so easily tarnished by immodest acts, they will be always careful t(i r)ractice it. For this reason they will guard their eyes, keep- ing them modestly lowered, when they are on the streets, in church and in the houses of lay peo[)le, when they are conversing with r)ersonsof the o[)p()s:ie sex, u CONSTITUTIONS and ahso during the tiniP oF 'e-.oe, Of .ne'ee and IZ'^'r:' ""''- «lso avoid t,reci.>if»n„ ! ^'"*>' "'" line* i„ t /e! ' l?h ■ "'"' "''««"«' -"ean- recreation thev will rTt"- "^r'''"'"'"- At '«-.fro.„e,Je;:i :™;7'''"/"vo,- of unbecoming UnZlZt ,T "'" "'" «.""se™ents, and ■ f^^.'^""'"' '-''"^den > »'«y have a tendency to evil Th' '""''*''^'- touch each otlier wL . T''<'." will not -henthe.e..!::ee7::;HtTH'-'-"'''^^^ subjects of the Institute olLt"'"'' ""^ '■•ii- cases thev are nern,itt„/ . ^ ''■"""- "ther, l,„t onlv on T ^ '"'""'' """"n- «hould not "e done ?!"• "'"' '''^" ""'^ the church. "" '•''' ^"■««' "»■• in 18. —Thev will ^u,*;^ -j, '"Other of all vice and , .r"'''' '" "'« -'"■■"Puritv. Wtl,tM"""^^"'"''>"f the vice "■e cluties Of tY: ; ;: ;:f J" ---vhen -ercises assigned th ,, ^77"" "" permit Of time for ,.»i \- ^ ^•^•^' ^^''1 '"".«p«ud7h'^\"i::r:::;i.:'>^;;;;" faith. -™esuch.orM.ndi,the,::;i::;t:.;:- CONSTITUTIONS 15 ayer, of con- 5. They will )serve clean - ther effects tation. At » aJI frivoJ- om the use '1 forbidden 11 whatever ^^y will not «Jty unless harity, new ^ ^oin^on handsimi- ss one an- ^ven this et nor in as the if the vice t^w, when ■* and the day will ^ill faith- ttinjj;-, oi- JUt work let them ask for it of the Sister Superior or Sister Assistant. They must not keep birds, dogs nor other pet animals, and thereby mis spend their time, the loss of one moment of which should be a matter of conscience, and they will always remember that God will de- mand them to give a very strict account of their precious time. Neither will they oc cupy themselves, on working days, in saying other prayers than those prescribed, and they will not remain to hear a second Mass unless there be a special reason for doing so. 19. — As intercourse with lay people may be equally prejudical to the sisters as it cer- tainly is advantageous and meritorious when enjoined under obedience and for the benefit of the poor, no sister will ever go from home without a companion, nor without the per mission of the Sister Superior, to whom she will make known whither she is going and for what purjjose, and to whom on returning she will render an account of her journey. The Sister Superior will in like manner notify her assistant before going abroad. All the sisters will bless themselves with holy water before going out, and on 16 C0\STITUTI0N8 'tended knees in fj, i. «ffe'- to our Lord the . r"" "' ''"^°'-''' 'viH ""t to offend Hi,„ Thev mT^ ""^ ^^^e stowed „nd to,, t "L V""' "'' ^'•"'-•^^ ''«- ""'•V'>"veco,„;Sted "'"'■"'^^"""«"'«y ne"«i -on'orl'lt" -•-•'« '"•"'°"' 'he ,«'-ite,- should have to, /''"■""'■• ""'"f « '"'"-•■•'I o,. othe, «!Jr ind ';; "'■"' " ^•'^'■'-• '"«« " «iste.. With w Wh'""V'' '""«' ''•"»' the sehool o>- some " '"""^ « sirl »«i*?H,o,.h.,od, vvhou X •n"""" ''•"'" 'he •n«in with her! ''''" '■*'J"««t to re- 21 — A sister will no.,„ <-'«'e of the si,.|t „,. " ? '''°"«' '« take '""T-eoi,,! reason f /;''"•■'"■'''''•'' '""''^ '""V The sisters w II , ' ""f."" """'^ ^^'-'-d- °''" ■■e/MUe/no'.rt "■''''" '''-- ci-sto,nary works of cZ'll.- """'"'"' '^e "^'ept thro,„,h the SjVT ''''''''' . 22. Every sister n'st" . t''"'™- «'»'>oftheSuperiora d I, '^e perm is- and be accompanied by oratory, vviJl -ynre about ^ and grace ' the same on 'e gJ-aces be- faults they ^vithout the ^1-. and if a 'th a civic ' she must he cannot •ke a frill from the est to re- >e to take here may ''s guard. '" places oi-m the h places lers. fJermis- nied bv CONSTITUTIONS 17 another sister when receiving people in the parlor. Seculars must not be admitted into the "regular places" without the permission of the Local Superior, and the latter to give such permission must have the authority of the Superior General. 23.— On whatever occasion when a sister meets persons of the opposite sex she will be reserved in her words and in her whole exterior, taking care never to manifest too much cordiality towards those persons when meeting them, and dismissing them prompt- ly should there be anything to fear for her virtue, even though their conversation relate to pious subjects, as the care of the sick, etc. Sisters must not be taught writing by male teachers, nor will they allow any fa- miliar contact with^ persons of the opposite sex; much less will they allow themselves to be kissed by them, except in the case of near relatives, as their father or brothers. Nor will any sister remain alone with a person of the opposite sex in a room with closed doors. 24.— When going through the streets, or 18 in houses CONSTITUTIONS not spend more otil ■' ^'^^^"^ ^^ould « necessary and°n \h """"'^ "■»« «>«» osity, listen to gossin «h '.u "«'' *-•""- '«irs of fa,nilief,Ti^ bS ' ' '"?'" "*'- spirit which fra;erna] ch rft,lT' '" "^^ jng it their practice never 1' '"'"'' """'- lay people exopnf -i, ! converse with ' or uLfui. hoTever ^M '°'"'*''"'^ ^'^'f^'ng them from seekTnJ^n /. ™"'' ""' ^'''^"t poor or other persons tn^fflJ""'" "'"'« procure relief and^ >" «ffl'etion, so as to leiiet and consolation for them . ^— As temperance and re^rui;.;; ">e and driDlting contrihnf ^ '" ^'''- preservation of the vl Z"""'^' *" *^ sisters will do ail7„ thl °' "^"'"'y' ">« i" this mattert"t^:ur:vrr'" "tr:'s riid^r- «-- i: allowed anftbe t ^ ""^"'^ °' ">« 'ood taken. Should "« '"Ltf '''"^.•' " '^ '° "« food outside the reeuTam^ 'T"^ '" '""*« house of a laic or f »i ''°"''' <"■ '" 'he 'aic, or take extra nourishment CONSTITUTIONS 19 she must ask permission of the Sister Su- perior, and no sister is allowed to use liquors, distilled or fermented, without the express permission of the Superior, even though prescribed by a physician. 26.— Though the continuous labors of the Daughters of Charity do not permit them to practice many extraordinary penances, they may, however, sometimes, do so, but never without the permission of the Su- perior General. 27.— As regards the fasts of the Church, the Sister Superior will have recourse to ecclesiastical authority to obtain the neces- sary dispensations, should such be required. Let the sisters be assured that exterior mortification is of httle avail if it is not accompanied by that of the interior, which consists in submitting our judgment and will to the orders of our Superiors, in com- batting and overcoming our passions and evil inclinations, and in always keeping our senses under proper restraint. . MIIHo, X^ ARCHIVES \ '■ N^ ' '^nc "^^^ \ 20 CHAPTER IV. Obedience. «'ia' love anatZLTJT'' ''«"«™tio„ Sovereign Pontiff ""'^''^ <'«^°"on to the 29 —Th to obey thZsulZo^r *""'. '^''"°" '"»>nd '°ve and submission which i "■''"""'• d»e to all authority em^n. * "g'-tfully , 1'h«> Win also ob^™»t""f "•°'» God. !*««' Sur,eriors: the oth/ r"""'"' ""'f concerns their resnll-„'"^' °'"'-'«'« '" what «" to whom thirot s:fr\- « ---d, whatsoever title. The, Zu T" ""'^«'' Constitutions of the InsitJ," "^^"^ 'he flrse sound of the belTnf .1'' """ "''^^ ">« ?--dingit as the voice „/ r H ^,T'"'' ''- '"K them to the Jh,-,? , °°^' ^i^" '« call- '<"• that time. "'""'-•''l'"- exercise, flj,ed i«dgme„t and :iir, "all ;h-"'°"°' '''-■'• ' '" "" "i"igs that are CONSTITUTIONS 21 not in themselves sinful) ol)ey Superiors even though the latter may be personally d.sagreeable to them, and sometimes, ac- cording to their own judgment, unreason- able and over exacting, remembering always that It is not so much to mere human crea- tures that this homage of obedience is due as to our Lord Jesus Christ, Who com- mands us by the voice of those He places in authority over us. 31.~Upon their arrival in a parish to found a mission, for the exercise of the works of their Institute therein, the Sister Superior, accompanied by one of the sisters, will go as soon as possible to the presby- tery and receive, on bended knees, the bless- ing of the parish priest. They will place themselves under his guidance in all matters that concern their own spiritual vvants-and even when there is question of relieving the sick or poor of his parish. They will entertain a profound respect for all ecclesiastics, but especially for their confessor, treating him always with the re- verence due him when at the altar offering up the Holy Sacrifice, anri anhmiff;«« t-^ 22 CONSTITUTIONS the «ick without, however ;■ ''"'""«»' of or the house. ^ "^^ ^^^ good order The sisters wiJltrvf^ '\« iocal benevolent S^t '"'"'•"""'^-'th '«<• without the peL^^:," ""'' "ote or let. Superior. ,vho should 7'?" "i "'" ^<«-''' .■nent: and should thevh ^""^ ""« doeu- '""ers themselves thev' °''^'""°" '» ^"'e «»ch to the SuperL T '°"^' <^«"''« all 'o^onvard or SVe'r "^"^^ ^' ''^ ^'W P--din/::Sdrs'n"of-'''"'^''>«tthe 'rotten to or receiv^dfr^ 'i^'^ '° '«««« 'he Ordinary the Q " "'^ Ho'^ See G-eral Assistants IT'^"^"^'^^^^^^ 'ho Provincial Super,^' '" ''"^ ^'"^^-s, ••eceived from the above n I'""^ ^o"«« «ho«vn even to the ^tll, """ "'" '">' '« be P-P'e, Without perrslrn.'""'''^'*-'"'^^ il 'vice in everv- ® J'eguJations ^cute the or. treatment of t'n^ the con- e good order irmonywith the Paris.}. lote orJet- the Local the docu- on to write 'eliver all it is either ^ that the to letters foly See, eral, the fovinces, 9 letters 5ot to be » to lav CONSTITUTIONS CHAPTER V. 23 ^' -M Union and Mutual Charity. 35. -The sisters will often reflect upon the name "Daughters or Sisters of Charity' -h sok which they have the honor to bear, and^da-.Tl while endeavoring to render themselves wor- ; i^ ^m thy of that title, by a true and sincere love :,dioar* of God and their neighbor, they will assist !o ao£ and respect one another as sisters whom our o mod Lord has drawn to His special service for aiw w\ the practice of the works of charity; doing f /golf all in their power to preserve perfect union among themselves. They will promptly bflnish from their hearts all feelings of envy and aversion and avoid using harsh or angry expressions, always manifesting by word and look the utmost Christian meek- ness and most cordial kindness of disposition. 36.— The sisters will cheerfully bear with the imperfections of their companions, and accommodate themselves as much as pos- sible to the wishes and tastes of others in all that is not sinful, or opposed to the constitutions, taking particular care to ex- \ 24 ^'ONSTITI'TIONS ""■n; for this holv conH ""''"°"'- »ith their "thers is an excellent ^a ,s „', ''"'"''' "' i '-"t, that oneUr::„:i'"r ""-" '^ »f another, the former wH? ''^ '"«""»« P«rdonofthelatte Th! ""' ""' *» »«k the hour o, retiri^; tl tst Th ""' '^"'"' *'ste.vvill receive h„mM ^''^ "Tended «Polog.v thus offered Te-' "!;'' '"'"'">' 'he "neel and give her sist!' 1"'^ ""' '''•«^i«e This holy practice JnTa f * ""'^^ "' P^'-'-'e. '<"• healing the biul^ ^"^'^'go remedy -hich soLtiLs ?rrr"' "^*'"™-' ''""ity In order „^ [7V''''''' "' ordinary good effect that In """"' 'he tary and holy practice 1 "*""" ""'« ««'"■ -•" be care,^, notlriv'*''"''^'^ ^■•^'- ot resentment to«rards her ""^ '**""Ss «ay have frequenti; offtdeJ'H "'""«'' ^''^ ha^sh or reproachful Zt ' "^ "^'"^ tneir communitj', COXaTlTUTIONS 25 whether at iht Mother House or on the mi&sionH. With this ( oject in view they will look upon their sick sisters as the servants of Jesus Christ, and treat them with all pos- sible kindness and affection, even as they would those bound to them by the ties of kindred, for sisters they are indeed, having God for their common father and the Insti tute for their mother. When a sister is seri- ously ill, notice should be given at once to the confessor. In what concerns their bodily wants the sisters will conform to what has been prescribed in No. 14. Poverty. 39.— Inasmuch as a morbid anxiety about ones bodily health sometimes int.'rferes with the obligations of charity towards others, the sisters will be on their special guard against that infirmity. They will be par- ticular not to consult any physician about their condition of health unless with the permission of their Superior. It is only in cases of very extreme urgency that this rule, is to be departed from. After their recovery, the sisters will resume their ordinary work and not seek after the special 26 CONSTITDIIONS privilegesgranted them «>- The sisters "vi» 7"? '^''' '""«««• »ent of the member ", T , "' "'^ '"'«- d'e near to ori„ the 1,L ^u ^"^"'"'« who pvided the, are noSe" tT ""^-^ '■'^^'■''^' '°'- the repose of th7,n 'i ^''^' '"'" °ff«<- ^'^'T the first three ofth " ''^'-*''««d '"unions, the regZlL T^'^'^'^'y '"•'"«- days following her lath'' '/°^ '"*' "'"e works performed by S' "';k.'"' "'« ^""d They will have one Hilh T^'" """ "">^- t-ow Masses celebrated^ i„*!r ""'' ""'"^ '■o"- These Ma. .,;,! " k " """*' ''"'«"- the place vvhere t le rf i * '-■«'«'"-«ted in •^"'■■•ed. In houses Ih °' "''' ^''^'^^ oe- I-ow Mass vvil bT.tlrfr""'''"'""''." «'«ter at the time of hi !, ""^ """' «' «ach "-ersar, of th death of a"":- ^" *« - ,''« a Low Mass offered a ?h t""' ""^^^ ''>" '<"• the repose of h r s^u,"'' ^f'^'' ««"«« during the vacations thJ' """^ """''^ ^'^'•'•. qoiem service in the M 7u *"" ^ « ««' t« deceased n,embers W. "" '^""'^"' ''"• «" •« divided into ProW^ces ,h? l'** '"''''"'' devotions for the drcea'erf r" ""««<* ""••formed in the ProWnctl^'h "'' ^"' ''■' rovmtial houses. The V their illness. **t the inter- ^sfcitute who * they reside, 'y vvill offer ^ deceased linary com- ^ the nine U the g^ood that time, and three »nie inten- ebrated in sister oc- ^G done, a ^^ of each 'n the an- here will sr House eiy year, 'e a Re- 'e for all nstitute named mil be 5. The CONSTITUTIONS 27 sisters will pray for the repose of the souls of the poor who die in the houses of the Insti- tute, and also of those whom they may have attended at any time or in any place. They may also assist at the funerals of the latter if their occupations permit. CHAPTER VI. Certain Means Whereby Charity and Union Among the Sisters are Promoted and Preserved in the Institute. 41.— The sisters vvill cherish a sincere af. fection for one another, but must carefully guard against particular friendship, which is always dangerous, the danger being con- cealed under a cloak of charity, and is often founded on sensual inclinations. This is the reason why sisters must be care- ful to avoid such as they would positive aversions, those extremes of sinfulness, if permitted to exist, would ruin an otherwise well-regulated Community in a very short time. \ 28 CONSTITUTIONS . ^2- -To remove th^ ^« . '» the peace and union o,''" P'«i"dieial 'he wo vice., above na.ned T' "«'" •••'« na'il.V arise from a .-nT ' ""^ '"^'ch ordi passes under rZl'T"' '" ''"'"v all that *f-d the,. vWl'ro "a,,?' '':'•''•« -■»«>"« y'^^. Of the conduct oT.h'"'"^*''^''-' to "<"• of the offices not L fh ."""'' Superiors, f'e Constitutions esr^ "jf"- ''harge, nor o ^•■•"'••-•'•^e or find fault -Ik^ '"'"' « view to « «'«ter feel anxioj' T """"• Should -'«t.-ng to the U ^ J";."' an3' matter sufficiently important . '*-''' '"'<' «*ee'»s '» the Superior shell , f , '""'"' ''""^n "PP'-'se the Superio. oT"-' """ ''"'»'"" ""'. f" «nd fa,dt ° th ''• »•"* I'eearefu «et,on of the Superior^,, 'T""" «' the ""d '»"rmuri„/,,eL " ""''''' '""" ""ding «nd division calculated r"r "' «'^^«"d«! "'alediction of Qod . . '^''"v ^oivn the Pl«i»ance to such but ! '"*'*■" Wth com- stitute. '-'•• '"" «"«" on the entire l". ^' Sisters in th • "«'•"'"' not to -speaL o^ "'r*''''"'""" ^'•" ''« «f one another's faults X Prejudicial ®t.v than are which ordi- »«wa]Jthat he com m on '"selves to Superiors, 'gfe, nor of * « view to '• Should 3' matter Jhe deems known ^humbly 6 careful '• at the t findin/^ scandal i^vvn the ' those th coni- ti»'e In- vviJl be faults CONSTITUTIONS 29 neither will they repeat in the Convent any- thing calculated to injure the characters of lay people. Should any sister so far forget herself as to indulge in uncharitable dis- course, the sisters present will not listen to her, and will do all in their power to make her desist, going so far as, even on bended knees, to beseech her to refrain from such language; and should this be unavailing, then their only course is to withdraw from her presence, as from the contact of a venom- ous reptile. 44. -Inasmuch as silence is one of the most efficacious means whereby to prevent the commission of sins against fraternal charity, as we learn from the holy scriptures, the sisters will be exact in the observance of silence at all times, and particularly during the time between the evening prayer and breakfast, and between two and three o'clock every afternoon. Furthermore, let them understand that in the churches andsacris ties under their care, as also in the dormi- tories and passages, silence must always be kept. In passing through the streets if the sisters have occasion to speak to each other \ 30 CONSTITUTIONS they must do «in .*« i >^'«e useful topicT" ,' ^: °" P""'^' "' other- '"d-cate that it is LtT,-^ °' »«nneras to They will also be pl^ie r^ "' '■^"«««°"- 'h^°ugh the house oH^ " "'• '^''«" ^oing f oors. especial,, at ^^T m"^ "^ '''''^'"''^ tp converse together th. *"" Pe'W'tted ^"''dued toneof voTee sT T'' "^^ '" '" « ^«''gious state, and cont k ? ""'^"'"^^ 'heir -«- Of those rho°htthS;° '''-'''«■ CHAPTER VII TT '""^'"^ '""^ «'«=^ ^00. -"e the ^L*;:':,^!^' -P%«.e„t bein, to -orlc With Lre and ^ffZl "'" •"'•"'™ ^"is Jesus Christ, that fh ""* P*""- «« to 'ew that they wjij t^g^j. CONSTITUTIONS 31 selves, or through others, distribute or ad- minister the food and medicine required by the sick. These they will always treat with sympathy, gentleness, cordial respect and impartiality, even those among them who may be disagreeable, ill humored, un- grateful, etc. They will scrupulously avoid allowing the sick to suffer by neglecting to give them the care they need, assuch neglect being always culpable, even should it be oc- casioned by one's attachment to her spirit- ual exercises, as our obhgation towards the poor takes precedence even before our spiritual exercises. 46.— The sisters should not neglect from time to time to speak to the sick about spirit- ual matter-, viz., how to bear their suffer- ings with patience, and resignation to God's holy will; of the necessity of making a good confession, and receiving holy Communion with proper dispositions, and to prepare for a good death, etc. 47.— Since ill-regulated charity is not only displeasing to God, but is also prejudicial to the souls of those who practice it, the sisters will not give food or medicine against the 32 CONSTITUTIONS orders or wishes of the Superior or officer in charge. Consequently they must not make too much of the complaints which the poor sometimes make without sufficient reason. At the same time they must do their best to console and please them, showing pity for their sufferings, and expressing regret at not being able to assist them according to their desires. They should also try to induce benevolent societies to interest them- selves on behalf of these poor people. 48. -Alms received from individuals for the benefit of the poor must be applied ac- cording to the specified intentions of the donor, and not otherwise. Sisters will b«ar this in mind, and especially, if among the poor m their charge are to be found some of their relations, whom they would naturally be inclined to favor. CONSTITUTIONS 33 CHAPTER VIII. Spiritual Practices. 49.— The sisters will always be faithful in their attendance at the regular religious exercises. This is of absolute necessity as a means whereby they may live in the state of grace and fulfil the sacred duties of their vocation. They can, however, sometimes change the h «ur of a particular exercise, and even omit it altogether without scruple when the urgent necessities of the poor re- quire it: but they must take great care not to do so through indifference or want of devotion, or that undue attachment to the special work they may be engaged in, which is sometimes mistaken for true charity. 50.— The religious practices prescribed for each day, are morning and evening prayers. Mass, one hour's meditation, half an hour's spiritual reading, the general and particular examens, the rosary, and the visit to the Blessed Sacrament. 51.— The sisters will confess their sins once a week to the ordinary confessor. 34 CONSTITUTIONS They cannot go to confession to another w'thout the special permission of the Arch- bishop. If a sister has a vahd reason for it, she can apply for an extraordinary confessor,' particularly in articulo mortis. At Quarter- tense all the sisters are obliged to present themselves to the extraordinary confessor. 52.— The days appointed for the sisters to receive holy Communion are: All the Sun- day^ and feasts of first or second class of th') year; Thursday and another day of their choice, of each week. The sisters can ap- proach the holy table on othei days, but not without permission of the confessor. 5?J. -Every Friday, unless it be a conge or a holiday of obligation, the sisters will as- semble, after night prayer, for the confer- ence of the Superior on the constitutions, rules, customs, etc., of the Institute. After which they will publicly accuse themselves of their faults against the faithful observ- ance of their rules, etc. Should the Su- perior impose a penance on any sister, the latter will receive it with gratitude, and faithfully perform it. Should a sister have the misfortune to offend or disedify any of CONSTITUTIONS 35 her companions, she will be prompt in ask- ing pardon of her for the fault committed. At the exercises commonly called fra- ternal correction, which takes place once a month, the sisters will individually ask to be notified of their faults by their com- panions. The latt.r will perform this duty of fraternal charity with gentleness and numihty, being always careful not to men- tion faults committed against themselves personally. When a sister receives an ad- monition, or a correction, she will accept it with humility and thankfulness and by no means seek to justify herself. 54.-The sisters will make a retreat of one day every month, when it is possible to do so without interfering with the duties of chanty. They will also make an annual retreat during which they will go to confes- sion and reveal the faults committed since the previous (annual) retreat. 55. -The sisters are at liberty to make known their personal troubles, (if they have any) to their confessor, but they must be careful not to reveal them to lay people or even to any membersof the Community who 3G CONSTITUTIONS IS not an officer, as if every sister were allow- ed to speak of her grievances, real or imagin- ary, as she saw fit, without regard to the persons whom she addressed, the result would be found in many serious troubles, that might eventually bring disaster upon the whole Institute. In matters of con- science, the confessor alone has a right to be consulted. 56.~At the annual retreat, the sisters will present themselves to the Superior General or to her delegate, to give a report of their work, and make known their diffi- culties, should they have any. They will furnish a similar report to the Local Su- perior at their monthly retreat, or as soon after as possible. 57.-Let the sisters be careful not to speak of those things they are under obligation to keep secret: as, for instance, what they hear in conference or in the confessional. Let them be assured that, apart from the sin they commit by revealing such matters they may, by their indiscretion, make those holy exercises of the Institute become odious, as well as useless, and even hurtful t"- CONSTITUTIONS 37 It is not forbidden, however, to converse on what ,.,a.v be said either at conferencro" in the confessional, when it contributes to edi- hcauon. and when no reference is made to the place^ (particular!,- the confessional, wheresuch knowledge has been acquired I H never allowable to s,«ak of such things by way of complaint or murmur The sisters will not make known the Con- stitutions to any one, without the express will they allow the book of rules to l« read s^'e^r/ ''""°. ^"^ ""'«''• ''^"'"•V -« out-' Side the Comm; riity. 58.-The duty of' fraternal correction re- quires that sisters should help each other in overcoming their faults: should a sistlr notice a fault in any member of the Com- of the latter to ,t, and ask her to correct it. This must always be done in a charitable, kindly spirit If the sister who is thus vvarned of her fault, does not amend her life, her case ,s to be reported to the Su- perior, or to one of the General Assistants. 38 CONSTITUTIONS Sisters are not to seek to justify themselves when admonished of their faults by their Superiors. CHAPTER IX. Special Devotions of the Daughters or Sisters of Charity. 59.— The principal devotion of the Insti- tute is the devotion to our Lady of Seven Dolors. The sisters will make assiduous use of all the means provided by the Church to promote this devotion, as well as the de- votion to the Sacred Passion of our Blessed Liord. 60.— One of the annual retreats will end on the feast of our Lady of Seven Dolors, which IS the principal feast of the Institute' on that day will take place the solemn reno- vation of vows. 61.— Another feast of our Lady of Sor- rows is the third Sunday in September, which the sisters will celebrate with becom- ing fervor. 62.-The sisters will hold processions in CONSTITUTIONS 39 the church of the Mother House, aud if Mle ,n the chapels of the missions; in honor of our Lady of Sorrows, on the third of thr'sf ^T^""""'^' "h^" Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament wili be given Sisters can, on that day, receive the scapu- lars of the Seven Doloi-s. &«c;,^«rfCar„i.a; every year, commencng on the thirteenth day preceding Septua gesima Sunday. This devotion is intended to make reparation for the sinful pleasures so often indulged in by worldlings before the holy season of Lent. 64 -Every Friday of the year the sisters are to make a meditation on one of the . h„T. 1 u"** ^'"'^'"' Virgin, recite the chaplet of the Seven Dolors make the Way of the Gross, recite orsin« u.eStabat Mate, fin^nrf* """'' ""■*'^«'" sorrow tha hlled the heart of ou, desolate Mother when she heard the last sighs of her Divine Son. b5.-The churches and chapels of the In- st, ute should be dedicated, whenever pos- sible, to our Lady of Seven Dolors. \ 40 CONSTITDTION3 ea-The Sisters will not be enrolled in stUute ° """""'"^^ than those of the In- ch^f patron of our Institute, St. Elizabeth, of Hungary and St. Genevieve, must be con- sidered as having a special claim upon the gratitude and homage of the Commun ty! and their feasts especially honored. CHAPTER X. Dismissals, Puniehments, Btc, a,?nTf ''r''* " ^'^^^' ^ '"■■ '"'•S«' •'«'«elf as to slander a member of the Community who 18 ehgible to an office, or resort to strat- agems to secure the appointment to an office for herself, or for another; if a member nif? ^^ • ^^^ ""' '^ ''''P"»'"J of her she shal have done penance tor her fault, and be formally reinstated; if not a mem- ^r of the chapter, the Superior General Thl ""T ." ^'^"' "«"«"'=« "P"" her. Ihis pomt of rule must be observed writh \ CONSTITUTIONS 41 the utmost exactness, as nothing can l,e more inconsistent witli liolv simnlicUv th! distinct ve virtue of tho ' ™P'"^">' 'he Cliariiv fh. u ^* ^°°^ Sisters of 69 li '""'' ■'■'""'"'-•' "^ *« "hove. b»_Ifan.v sister, which may God forbid should commit a grave fault against pudtv' - sobriety, or should persist inlhow n.h . conteinpt for the Constitutions, or disrespec havin'; fz:''"' ""'T'- ''^ "'"-™ Hi AsLtan. T"^^ *'"> 'he Gener. HI Assistants, will impose a penance upon her, such as one of the fojlowii^ vTz Ex e usion from the recreation room p'rohU,!" t'on to attend any of th^ .„^ ". Pionu,,. Community; silenci du, -^ "0^0^.:.:'*' em;v7f"°' "L'""'"" "" "■•'""' -d - te , removal from office, deprivation from active or passive voice, etc. Sisters found T.Tt, of persistent murmuring „g„i„,t the Su ITT ,"""*' ""' '» •« temporarily set: from intT ''" «<""'"""'t^- «nd excCd' d from ntercourse with the sisters. They are to be looked upon as moral lepers, who „' studiously to be avoided. 70.— Penances will be imnnaed nn fi, only who are likely to be benefited bvM'"" 10m \ 42 CONSTITUTIONS In the case of a sister who is manifestly be- , ^°"^ correction, the following mode of pro- cedure will be pursued : 1st the SuperLr Gene™l will order prayers to be saidTu al ever I .u' '''""^'"'^' ""tout, how- ever, revealing her identity; 2nd she will -epeatedly implore the offender o eon 8 der her sad condition and do better; 3rd neat' thrflr' unavailing, she will re: peat them to the delinquent in the pres enee of the General Assistants: 4th if th.s proves fruitless, she will do the same m the presence Of the whole Community! 5th, If the use of these means should fail in their purpose, then the case must be la d before the Archbishop. Between each ad momtion eufflcient time must be g^ven fo h'self and " fl "^'"""'^ '''''' '" -'^ ^^ » Hbtlditi:f"'^''"°"^*-^°"''-'^''P'-- After the expulsion of a sister, fervent m unity for her conversion. V PART SECOND. — J«uncil, General Officers P^-' vincialand val Officers, whose resp;cUve duties are set forth in the following rule The General Chapter. CHAPTER II. of the General Chapter. al Chapter convened every six years, at fh. V 44 CONSTITUTIONS Mother House or some place selected bv the Superior General and her Council Th. meetm, should be held in the mon^h of Th!r"'','^"^""'"' '"''''"'« 'he meeting nstance should the Superior Gen;ra die before the end of her term of office, resign or be deposed; in which case, a meeting of the by the Assistant General for the appoint- mentofanewSu perior. 74.-By virtue of an Indult of the Holy bee, extraordinary assemblies of the Chan ter may be convoked at other times b^the ^'iP;"°'-Geaeval, with her Council. the r„ ?^«™' ^'"'P'"'' '' «"°>posed of the General Officers, Provincial Superiors Hnd Deputies. ouperiors, Jn^ri'^^f ^'■'""'"'^ °' "»« Institute must 77 "Z^P^^y to the General Chapter. ".-Ihere must be two-thirds of the CONSTITUTIONS members 45 ChtT'^^^ O'-dinary will preside at the Chapter, or be represented by a delegate Section II.-PreHmtaaries of the General Chapter. t.rc^:^er;.irr;rs^^^^ Supenor General, «„d state how il w practtd. '' ^"-'""'"o- -ci rules are which a e toT'-H- '° '""P"^ "•« «"Wects wnicnaie to be discussed in the Ph^r.f They will, therefore, carefully ta."^ The Constitutions and customs, and ascertl 46 CONSTITUTIONS \ whether any of these rules have been chang- ed or fallen into disuse; and, also, whether It '"'^\"«P' '"'o the Institute, and what means should be taken to correct tkem. 82.-The result of the above important examination will be written out by the Sec and 7; "n "^".f "^ "^^ «"P-'- General Chapter ■■'' '*"■ P'"''^*""'"'"' to the tu^'V'f.^T""' ^^"^""^ will respect- fully ask the Archbishop to fix the date of the proposed meetinR of the Chapter, and to gracdusly preside. The Superior General will convoke the Provincial Superiors and deputies by a circular letter announcing the Chan/ 1 Ir ""^ °P*"'"« •" "^« General Chapter by the Archbishop. This letter must have the seal of the Institute affixed to it sLret^r''"""'''"^""'^^"''™"""^' 84.-On receipt of the letter of convoca- tion, the recipient will write to the Superior General m acknowledgment of it. All the electors are obliged to be present on the appointed day, unless dispensed by the Su- perior General. If a Provincial Superior is V CONSTITUTIONS 4- Section IIL-Biection of Deputies to the General Chapter. 85.-Prudence, discretion and solid virtue »'•—* or the election of a domifv o The e„„„tKr?jtv: rcB^;;-:!- «.sters called scrutineers who are appo Lt ed by the council. The Provincial SuZor and vocal sisters must be present T?i? counting of the ballots. ^ ' "' ""^ 8R-The act of the election is signed bv I'lted'rr"' r '"''""''"'"^- -'"»- mitted to the sister-elect as a voucher of her election, and as an evidence of her , Lh ' Cra;tr''''''''"''"-«"«'''''^eGeraJ 48 CONSTITUTIONS 90^-Theie must be an election of deputies fortheGeneralChapterbeforeeveryeirction of a Superior General or a General Officer. nf7h7 "'.^^''''P'*^ he convened outside of the usual time, the deputies elected for the regular Chapter can attend it, unless there is question of the election of a Su- perior General, in which case there must be another election of depu ties. \ Section rv.-FuMctioas of the General Chapter. at?hrr!K^'"'''*" ^''"P'*-' *i" "ssemble at the Mother House every six years, and in the month of July, if possible, 93- While attending the Chapter the electors will occupy separate rooms. The Suimnor Genera) will preside at the com- mon religious exercises. the Chapter is to examine into and ascertain CONSTITUTIONS ^g vious leeLTltT """""'^ "' *" '"'- present her^euon Tr*" ^''"^'•'" -'" manner in wWr ' ^ ^'^ ^'■" ^"'"' ">« carried out Tn th. ■"!' '?°'"««"« were «hould also state th'"'".^- ''"'^ ''^f"'^' actually in th?i„sH^. ""!"''"■ °' ''^''^'^^^ and nf institute, the number of new and of suppressed houses (shoiiM M, ! any) the nu.nberof deatL' sS ^T V.OUS session, and also set fo tLwh / «;;ee.s .tended the .or.s oSarS:^: «nat;a?s;t''uror;,rth:": '"" ^^^'^^"^ ^'^^ -.With the MotLr HoLe."""^' '^°""^"«- the Institute I ; '"""f" "^« '»'«««'« of means for the prevention T ""^"P' abuses: but it c'an o U-hL.: th"';"""" "' CongrSon -^"P""-"- '-"n the Sacred It Mongs to the General Chapter to H v«e «eans for relieving the Mother Hous:,' 50 CONSTITUTIONS \ When its revenues are in«..ffi • requirements, and for ,m"'' ^^^' ^'^^ pose a lev, on ail^h hout?o";T ^ ^"- tute. It has authority toaecep th' •'" nation of the <^n. • '^accept the resig- of the Institute demanT A '"'erests Superior GeneJrthe, llT^'l °' *^ matter to the Sacred (1 '''*'' "■« «-a..eh3.thedTeLrofrt'°aV:t the 'Se^reter'trr^^f t- t^""''''^ ■ statement setting forth th. T*"' * adopted at the differf „' ti^nT'of^r Chapter. Thi^ «f.,f« . f^^'^^ons of the by the Presidentth^T"* ''°"''' "^ «'S°«d Secretary *' *''" ®"P""°' «e°e«l, and Adequate means to give effect t^ ^k resolutions should be adonf!!^ ^•"' passible. The dis,.;!^i- ''°P'^<1 »« «oon as ■me disciphnary and administra- \ I CONSTITUTIONS tive decisions of thp ok ^ and cannot be abrol^H*'*'' ^'""""^ ^^^' -pt by the Chaptef ^' ''"'''<"' '^^^'-d.ex- ^^^^^tZr7:^Xl^lf:^''''^ Chap, the General Office "^ ''''' "'"^"""n «' it. Vsup:if Ge'n ''^^"^^ ^— ">r can convoke a g;„Sc1„^"'^ <>- Counei, At extraordinary me 1 '^^'' "' »"> «'»«• the reports referred' "?; °* *'''' ^''»Pt«r, "ot presented "^ '° ^"^^ *** ""^ 95. are Generfl^'o'ffice *s ^' ^'* 100._The election will take ,>i S'x years. ""^^ P^acc every 101 — The General nm number, namely" "^'^ '"'^ ««^«n >n The Superior General. Th'p"'^r™'A««i«tants. The General Secretary. ■I he General Treasurer. V 52 CONSTITUTIONS works of thT* P''"^''"''^ ^"<^ sood chart nfh''' ""'^ °' *'^'^«<' "°d«^ their charge ,n the several hou«e« of the Insti Almighty God the ap,H,intmont of a Su penor General, and of her Assistants ,„ the government of the Institute, who will be according f« His own heart The Fern C;-ean^sfound to be void thrril^hle^bsetct of the required majority, the President o? the Chapter, as Apostolic Delegate willap v^^ttii^i^tr^ -'•'*'- --^i- ai-rie^rfoftXrw^lt 109.-The act of election will be entered Lr:tiriSrt '"' ■^'^-'I'^^t'^eP-siS, rne retiring Superior General, the GeneraJ Secretary, and the scrutineers. V lade ther , if lird ma- red, ivilJ , to "or -er. ec- ice of LP- of 3e ill 3r i.s d 1 CONSTITUTIONS 55 m-In the case of the decease, the vol- nffi ^T^r*^^'^' or the removal from Histant will summon the Chapter to meet Offi""""''^^*''*' **'■'" °^ "'"''•« °* the General Officers ends with the retirement from oTe 112.-AS the assemblies, which are held every s,x years, generaly talce place' tl^e month of Julv fh^ oiw , ^ No. in, wii. dL^t.:t:ir?rry':r ^z received their appointment. of ^t,"' w "" '"'""'* •» "•'•'^P* th« result of the elections and the decision of the «on-without oomplaint or murmur. 56 CONSTITUTIONS V The Superior General and General Council. CHAPTER in. Section I.-Co«posltion and Meetings of the Council. PpniT'^'"' """''*'' ^"""""'^ »' the Superior t<.ti.eirrest:rCs'"":;:Cr"""^ voice wliatevor in ti,r^ffn- ™>^ '^"^'' "« of coDvolcing the Gener-.I r^J /""'''''*'' '^ MiHtrens of NovL; l:^'^^^^*^' '"'"' ino-« ^f +u i-i -^ cittend the meet- rt^id tha 7 '? "' *'^" ''^''''■•'" Council f.^^*"~^' ''"' Superior General with her \ CONSTITUTIONS 57 a decision cannot be put into eifect without the autnonty of the Ordinary. llo.-Tvvice a month the" Superior Gpn era! will cal] her Councillors tJ^ L^", nouses of the Institute, and the means It .8 heri-ight to propose the subjects to e' votes. In ease of an equal division ,.f h votes, she has the easting vote " of the Superior General. vvitn ail the authont, leqnisite to enforce stc^^'ffl'"™ "''•''' ^^''"«"'" ''«'-• H ~' ..fl.ee .s to govern the Institute ox ere s „g he,, authority for the comn.on good and for the promotion of the works roLTt- ted to her. She must also la..„r for the^^. t.heafon Of the souls of the sisters, and oMl 56 CONSTITUTIONS \ others under her care. With this i„ view Bhe „,ust stud, the Constitutions thorou^ ly, and become imbued with their spirit and exemplify it in her own Hfe-afte, \hJ ::at He ''' ""i:':' '"'''-' ^'^ ^^^^^ wnat He preached. in.-She must devote herself to mental conT' ""' "1 ""•'"• ^'"'■""•" e-erciseTwi\h constancy and fervor. It is in her oommun^ cat,ons with God that she will acqu^e that supernatural light, strength and courage whereby she will be enabled to govern the lnst,fute according to His holy wfll. " llS.-As the care of the poor and sick ic the pr.ncipal object of the Institute she W.11 direct all her thought and energy at ™.d.ngly and deem it her duty, efther th ough herself or her sisters, to impart r! l.ef wherever the claims of human distress make themselves heard. 119---She should never cease impressing upon her sist«rs the obligation thejTre -te-, so Often w^ L^TCl^^ \ CONSTITDTIONS 59 120 -The Superior will consider it her most ,,n„orta„t duty to labor, and see that souVlf !r """'••. "" '"*' -'vation o, the souls of th._«e confided to their care. ohlit'H •' ""<^<"'''«ndi„g these ^rave oW^ations, and fortified hy the grace thit Him, the Superior General will he »i,l„ f exerc se with efficiency, and advantai o herself perKonall,. the powers invelrS [^ 122.-She must see that no point of the Constitutions shall fall into disuse ami Ci ur.^:^f\^'-'^ '''•^--•'-•'X^t': institute; this she nromiseH at i,„. ment a= a ■ ''""'*''"*' "ei appoint- ment as Superior General. She will o-ive the sisters salutary advice, enforce "hi ob! Bervance of the rule, and punish anv volun aij violation thereof l.y administel; i penances, either public or private t she ^^e^et'thrd^T ""^^ -'" -""^ ^' h edification "'.^t'""^"^*' «"d to the general edi^ation of he members of the Institute. m-8he will always receive her sisters with cordiality, affection and chur ty w' I eonsole them i„ their trials t"/\Z \ 60 CONSTITUTIONS he„. to bear th.,ir afflictions. She wi,] .t ;..sT T "' ""^ """^"^ health of he mnl in ,h" r/"'''^^''' '^^^ become se" It- innimaiy. Sliould a sister die th^ '^v. nTsrto^x;tr^'^^"°«-''^''-' - libl.mrf'"' 7'" P'" "«^ Monitvi. full whatever information she prudentlv " -.ardin^ their anteeedentf Sh"' ^l"' attrti.s:i:':,;r ir ^'^ ^''^'■"•»''' wo.th,. She Will visit the Novitiate, or \ le will L of her neseri- iC"d if} he Su- ler de- itituto. k^ioces, K page ; full ^ and ity of fcs for biain may te in the iate that :hat not . or CONSTITUTION8 Q^ have one of her Assistants do so, four times a year to examine the Postulants "nd Novices so as to satisfy herself of heirte ing properly trained in the Christian viu" and well instructed on the obligation of he religious state, and the duties attached to the works of the Institute. She vvlll c'revtl'^tr^"^ '^^"^'^ ^^^-'^ ^^" cil every three months, and will see that those accepted by the Council f" tLeh tothfA".-" '^^ '""^ habit, present them to the Ordinary for Canonical Examination at least one month before they take the iiabit or pronounce their vows. 1^7. -Once a year she will visit all fh. houses of the Insfif„f« \isit all the tn ri^ A'lHtitute, or appoint a sister to do so, so as better to know her subjects and the condition of the houses. 1-8 -She may delegate her authoritv as t^:Z^T '^ ^"^ Particuia/^IL: to la «pee,fled time, but is at liberty to con- deeo:;ir"w-thV;r '^"^ '^ vinueof srh oeie ation. With the consent of her Conn :; ^he can even annul or consul de.h"i^" emanating from the Councils of P.-ovi-^r 129.-Every year she will issue circulars 1 '^^^^1 62 CONSTITUTIONS I! forth whatever important events may have occurred together with what she considers nmy tend to the glory of God, and an in oTtir/nsr't:"'^-''""'"-'""'--^^ 130— She may dispense from the rule in cases where her conscience tells her a dil pensation is necessary or proper whftTf '"' "'" designate the' houses in which the annual retreats are to be made by the sisters who cannot come to the Mother House. She will always be present and preside at the annual retreats She W.1 give the Ncvices their names in religfon Idl.- Should a sister be obliged to go from home it is to the Superior General she has to apply for the requisite permission. iAJ.-She will ascertain by careful er aiiiination the financial condition of the *.ented to her by the General Treasurer every three months. treasurer 134.-The General Council will determine alms by the Superior General. The latter :ute, and set ts may have he considers d, and an in- of the works the rule in Is her a dis- houses in be made Me to the 1 be present reats. She in religion. ^ed to go xeneral she mission, areful ex- >n of the ounts pre- Treasurer determine tpensed in 'he latter CONHTITLTIONH 33 may spend in good works whatever she may receive as a gift from personal friends. General will report to the Holy See the con- dition of the Institute with respect to its wo ks, Its houses, its finances and its sub- jects. She will address her report to the Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congrega- .on of Bishops and Regulars. She will not fail to inspire the sisters with a sentiment of deep veneration for the Holy See, and have them pray frequently and fervently for the Sovereign Pontiff, especially in tim'e of calamity to the Church. She will designate he prayers to be said at the death of a bene factor of the Institute. Section III Duties and Prerogatives of the Superior General and Her Council. H Jf '~?^^^ Superior General must have the deliberative vote of her Councillors for • suh^r'7"'T '"'"'P"^" ""^ profession of subjects ; for the administration of the funds 64 Constitutions Of the general cash- box : for constructing new buildings, or improvinfr old ones ; for ne gotiating a loan, or incurring any extraordi- nary expense ; for the appr'jbation or verifi- cation . e ^.nnual accounts of each estab- hsht.entcf toe Institute ; for entering into coMMacts of purchase or sale; for general administration of the property of the Insti- tute: for authority to enter or pursue a lawsuit; for fouuuiug, transferring or sell- ing, a house ; for an extraordinary visit of an establishment; for the interpretation of doubtful points of the Constitutions: for the nomination of Mistresses of Novices sub-Mistresses, Provincial Superiors and L.ocal Superiors of the houses of the Insti tiite, and Assistants, Councillors and Bur- sars of Provinces ; for the nomination of Assistants, Councillors, Bursars, Secretaries IJirectresses of retreats for seculars. Almon- ers of the poor, visiting sisters, Directresses of studies, the Mistresses of classes and Directresses of the the Third Order of bervites in houses not within the Province In ch.njrin. ,i,ters from one Province to another, or from one house to another, in V • constructin]^ d ones ; for ne- arly extraordi- ition or verifi- of eachestab- entering into ; for general of the Insti- or pursue a rring or sell- ary visit of an •pretation of itutions; for of Novices, iperiors and of the Insti- rs and Bur- omination of , Secretaries, lars, Almon- Directresaes classes and d Order of le Province. Province to another, in CONSTITITIONS 65 exceptional cases and for partic ar reasons she may act of her own accord vvith<,ut con- siHtmg the Community. She will have recourse to the Ordinary when there is question of acceptin,^ a new establishment, engaging in a lawsuit or sell- ing or mortgaging property valued at n.ore than one thousand dollars. She must have recourse to the Holv See in the following cases: 1st, when there is question of borrowing an amovHit in excess of four thousand dol ^rs; iiid, for changiu: the site of the Mother House, or suppress!, any house of the Institute ; 3rd, to obtain a dispensation from their vows in favor of sisters who are an object of scandal in the Institute; 4th for the creation of new Provinces or Noviti' atcs. In this case she will send to the fc»ac d Congregation testimonial letters of her own Bishop, and of the Bishop of the dioces' .vhere the new Novitiate is to be estal shed. The Sup. ;r, when on a visitation, can '•egulato all mattei. in which the well-being "" CON8TITUTIOXS Of the Province is concerned, with the advice of the Provincial Council. 137 -The Mother House is under the \m medrntesupervisionof the Superior Genera " and she governs it as a I^eal house th^^^h' one of the Assistants, or any other sister named by the C( .nciJ. CHAPTER IV. General Assistants. 1381-The General Assistants should be of one heart and .nind with the Superior Gen ''',\^^^^' •« »^>' W spirit, her views and her rules of action so as tn \J he authority of the Suf^.-ior Genera oZ the members of the Institute about her personal difficulties or troubles the latter will receive her with genr^nets and affection, and be r.«rticular1, careful advice he im- sneral, trough sister CONSTITUTIONS 67 be of Gen- I'iews « an ihors her hold over tant less eful nlwajs to defend the authority of the S,. ari:::th''"r"' ^''"""' -/« safe, and all the funds of the Cmmunity. ilH.-bbe has power to receive founda- tions, enter into Easiness transaro't engage ,n necessary lawsuits, etc., wi'h the ^PP^va.-of the Council of the CS favor'of t> "'n """ '^"^ ""i"'''' "'^^ '" witn ds little dela.v as possible a men H, and submitted to the Superior Gene,,, ,„,h ,„„.„^^, ^^^^^ en, po.t to the General Chapter „f the financial condition of the houses of the Instihte every six years. "institute m.^-If new buildings have to be con- structed, or old buildings repaired at the expense of the Institute, it is L bu^ „ i' sl^r^''* ^''---■••"-e after al. \ irs of safe, mda- ions, 1 the erior le in I'ged >nce rior ths. re- cial ute on- :h0 ?ss aJI CHAPTJiJR VII. Provinces. 152.-A Province is made up of a number o houses which are under the Supervrsk'n of a Provincial Superior, but subject to he - thorit, of the Superior General ^ouncil to determine how many houses there are to be in each Province 153.---The administration of the affairs of peno, , whose ter.n of office is for three years tt /'shr^^r^^'^' ^ '^^^^"^ - ^s tm L bv f n" '"''*^' ^" ^^^ ^^'-i"i- as should"''' ^"^":^"^-«' «^ whom two at "east aliould reside with her The Provincial Superior will reside in a house assigned her by the Superior General \ 72 CONSTITUTIONS CHAPTER VIII. The Provincial Superior. 154.--The Provincial Superior being in- vested with a share of the authority of the Superior General will have but one heart and one mind with her; so that nil the sis^ ters, nia.v be governed by the same r)rinciples and be united closely together in the r)rac- tice ^of the virtues of the religious state. She should adopt the policy of the Mother House in the government of tl.e Province. 155.-— She is to promote the si)irit of the Institute in all the l;ouses of her Prov- ince. She will receive with kindness and gratitude the admonitions of her inonitrix, so that the latter may not be backward iii notifying her of her faults. 156.-Onee a month she will convc .e a meeting of her Councillors to decide ui)on admissions, receptions, or [irofessions of sub- jects, to deliberate on the spiritual and tem- poral affairs of the houses of the Province, to take means to promote fervor and good II \ CONSTITUTIONS 73 ippoint- order among them, also to make ments. etc. 157.— She cannot estal)lish »^evv houses, nor can she authorize the construction or reparation of buildings to the amount of more than five hundred dollars. She can- not en^'age in any undertaking of more than ordinary importance without the consent of her Council, and the permission of the Superior Genernl. 158. -Once a year she will convoke a meeting of her Councillors to verify the ac- counts of the houses, to confer with them on the best means to be used for the pro- motion of the various woiks of the Insti- tute. She will draft a report of the delib- erations of each meeting and send it to the Superior General. 159.-~She cannot engnge in a lawsuit without the permission of the Superi(u- Gen- eral and her Council. 160.— She will write to the Superior Gen- eral every three months, and give an account of her administration, and of the conduct of the usters. 161.- She will verify and sign the quar V 74 roNsTiTmoxXs toH.y statement of accounts when submit- ted to her by the Bursar. 162. -She will visit the houses of her Prov- ince once a year, unless dispensed by the Superior General. mV-Should a sister of her Province die, Hhe w,ll notify the Superior General and the sisters of the Province of her death thi^p"^"? Provinces where Novitiates exist the Provincial Superior is obliged, every three months, to give an account of the Novices under her guidance to the Superior General. Before accepting a Novice for profession, the approbation of the Superior General and her Council must be procured. The Provincial Superior cannot present the Novices to the Ordinary for canonical ex- amination without authority from the Su- perior General and Council. CHAPTER IX. The Councillors. 165. ^-The Councillors should be strongly imbued with the spirit of the Constitutions, \ - CONSTITUTIONS til and be guided by it in their intercourse with the sisters, especially with respect to the counsels which they may be called upon to give theui from time to time. 166.- When the Councillors are invited to give their opinions in Council, the youngest member speaks first; for the voting, which IS done by ballot, the order is reversed. 167 --At these meetings the Councillors will humbly and frankly state whatever they may think will conduce to the greater good of the Institute and to the greater glory of Almighty God. They will dis- cuss the questions proposed to them in a Bpirit of gentleness and charity. Should the bupenor General decide any matter, they vvm always deferentially accept and abide by her decision; except it is in manifest vio- lation of the Constitution. Matters of i.u- portance will not be decided on the day thev are submitted to the Council, time must be taken to consider them fully and to obtain light from heaven through prayer. 168.- The sisters are bound to secrecy with regard to the subjects discussed at the s. J I 76 CONSTITUTIONS meetings of the Council and other commu- iiications with the Superior General. 169.— If the Councillors, whether Provin- cial or Local, should experience a difficulty in dealing with certain cases, they shotld make it known to the Superior General. 170.— The Provincial Councillors should write once a year to the Superior General and inform her of the condition of their respective Provinces. They will not show each other their letters, or copies of them. Each sister must express her own individual opinion, and must not allow her judgment to be biased by the opinions of others. When a subject is to be admitted to profes- sion, the Councillors will make known her character, dispositions, etc, to the Superior General. 171.— The meetings of the Councillors always commence with the Vent Sancte which is followed by the Ave Maria, the invocations of our Lady of Seven Dolors of Saint Joseph, of Saint Vincent de "P^ul of Saint Elizabeth and of Saint Genevieve, and terminate with the Sub Tuum. 1 V CONSTITUTIONS 77 CHAPTER X. Ijects whom it sends \ CONSTITUnONS 83 nything ousiness j. • pression show in charity, ting the :, labor- n good ler the ve im- vithout er. spt an or as nie the st see, made t sends there, and for their absolute freedom to observe the rules and Constitutions. 194. -The sisters will proceed with as little delay as f)ossible to their place of residence, ' and commence at once to do their allotted work- -visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant and relieving the poor. 195.— No matter v here the sisters may be located, they will evtr keep present in their minds that they are members of the Insti- tute, which holds towards them the relation of a tender mother to her children. They will be faithful in observing the Constitutions, customs and traditions of the Mother House, and theiuby strengthen the ties which bind them to the home wherein they received their first lessons in the religious life. 196.— As the Institute has been establish- ed to serve the Church everywhere it can reach, the sisters will be careful not to allow the subject of nationality to cause dissen- sions to exist amongst them. 197.— Each house of the Institute will have a Saint for patron, and will bear the desig- nation of House of Providence, or Asylum, 84 CONSTITUTIONS or Hospital, or Orphan Asylum, or Resi- Tq«'' "^^f^ ^"P'"^^' ^^"^^'-^l "^^y decide. iy8.-All Foundations or Establishments are under the absolute control of the mother house. 199.-The Superior General is the Su- perior of all the houses of the Institute, and governs them with the same authority as she governs the mother house. The sisters ^re all subordinate to her with respect to the temporal as well as the spiritual affairs of the Institute. : ' ! CHAPTER XIII. Visits and Contributions. 200.-A tax will be levied on every local house at the rate of twenty-live dollars per annum for each resident sister, to defray the expenses of the general administration, etc. Each house in a Province will contribute naif of the above amount to the Provincial House and the balance t« the Mother House Ihese annuities constitute the General" Treasury, which is further augmented by )r Resi- decide. ihments mother he Su- ite, and iiity as sisters pect to affairs CONSTITUTIONS 85 ^ local rs per ay the 1, etc. 'ibute incial [ouse. neral >d by various revenues, viz., dowries, legacies and gifts made to the Institute. 201.— The funds of the General Treasury may be used to help new foundations and houses in need of assistance. 202.— In the Provinces expenses, attending the visits of the Superior General, the Pro- vincial Superior, or their respective delegates will be defrayed by the houses of the Prov- ince, each contributing in proportion to its annual revenue,— except in the case of very poor houses which may be exempted by per- mission of the Superior General. The Pro- vincial Superior's expenses, while in attend- ance at the Chapter, will be defrayed out of the same fund. 203.— Every house not comprised in a Province will defray the expenses incurred by the Superior General or her delegate, in their annual visits to it. 204.— When a sister is called to the Mother House or Provincial House on account of illness, or on business connected with the house where she resides, that house pays the expenses of her journey. PART THIRD. — {=<®=i- The Novitiate. -fcS«- CHAPTEK r. Admission of Subjects. 205.-Only persons of respectable parent- age, who are irreproachable in their moral of health of body and mind as to enable of The H-^'"" '^i'^'^''^ ""^ *""" 'f« duties of the different offices of the Institute, have « tunable education, are free from debt and possess the other qualities required p:stui:n::'~ '"''•-" '-■•--''- CONSTITUTIONS 87 as 20G. -Widows, illegitimate children, and persons over twenty-five years of age, can- not be admitted without a dispensation from the Ordinary. 207. -On entering the Novitiate each sub- ject must be provided with the necessary clothing, bedding, etc., unless dispensed therefrom by the Superior General. 208.— Every Postulant must be provided with a certificate of character, her certifi- cate of baptism and confirmation, before being received into the Institute. 209.— After their entrance the Postulants will be trained in the works of the Institute, and the duties of a Christian and religious life. After having spent one year in the preparatory Novitiate, and given satisfac- tion to their superiors, they will receive the holy habit. 210.— The Novitiate should last one entire year, and date from the day on which the Novices receive the holy habit. It is not per- mitted to the Superior General to extend the term for more than six months beyond that time withoutthe permission of the Ordinary, The Novices, during their Novitiate, should 88 CONSTITUTIONS ceptr'th!fV™'" '!:^ "'"'^^-'J "-'«-. ex- cept in the choir and lefeotoiy. Thev prl to them. They will occunv Th ""^ fK« .t J tJccupy themselves in the «tudy of the religious life, and w th th" exercises pro„er to the Novitiate. ' ^11.— Aptitude for the works r.r *k t stitute. purity of intention. dodX of M U frM,kne«s of character, opennes/of hea' to her. ^ afterwards come sters, ex- rhey are of the e taugrht trained 'elves in with the the In- •f spirit, f heart, eir |;er- of the K)sitive ted to us de- ipaeity paired to the ly her i, the n any come CONSTITUTIONS 89 214.— Each sister, before making profes- sion, is to give to the Community as her dowry the sum of $300. The moneys accru- ing from this source are to be deF)osited in the bank. No sister's dowry can be exr)ended without the r)ermission of the Archbishop until after her death. 215.— The dowry provided by a novice be- longs to the house in which she makes i)ro. fession. 216.— A sister, whether professed or not, cannot claim anything for her services while employed in the Institute. Her dowry only can be claimed. 217. -The vows of the Institute are simr)lo vows. After two years they become per- petual vows. The formula is as follows : In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, I, N.N., wishing to consecrate myself to God, and to become a servant of the poor, do freely promise and cheerfully make to His Divine Majesty, the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obediei -j for the remainder of my life, according to the rules and Constitutions of this Institute, and under the absolute direction of my Ecclesi- '4 m hi' u CONST tTUTfONS ton. 1 humbly imr.lm^ tu r.- • ^^^'''^'^ TMomises anH ir. i ^ ^<^«'t^ive these Novitiate and n. ^^'^ "^^"^^""^ h^*' lurtie and pionounoe her vow^a^+i. ordinary time. '^^ *"*^ CHAPTER II. Mistress of Novices and Sub- ■Mistresses. ^^Jth the care of the Novices and nn I u «PPointedtoa„,ot.e..„fflrt>„Treh: of Ki urs- ine meicy )ur Lord His holy y patrons ive these l)e faith- of death er vows Should inue her H at the Jub- uld be 1 years L'upied not be 3r, the CONSTITUTIONS 91 future Welfare of the Institute der)ends; her i-esponsibihty is then vtry great. 220.- In order to acquit herself of her ol)Jigations, she will laf)or to l)econie spiritual and to acquire the dispositions necessary for the proper discharge of the iu.portant work with which she is entrusted. 221.--She will diligently study the New Testament, so as to know our Lord more inti- mately, that she may be able to love and imitate Him better, for it is in the school lA the Divine Master that she will le.nn to be- come a good Mistress. As our L(;rd formed His Apostles to all the virtues she will learn from Him how to lead her Novices to re- ligious perfection. She will also read other good books and r'aiticularly "The Imita- tion of Christ" and have them frequently read to the Novices. 222.— One of her most essential obligations IS to initiate the Novices into the knowledge and practice of a Christian and religious life and the sfurit of the Constitutions. She will make thtim practice simplicity, humili- ty, charity and obedience and inspire them with a great love for those virtues bv show- 92 CONSTITUTIONS the year she will read th. P '""'' '" the Novitiate and sulLt ,^™''"*"«°"« '" d"eing them to praet^ Sh! """"^ '" '«■ her Novices nn n. , ^ "'" >n«truct vows ZZ!'" '""^ """«^''™« which their wri-tcr''tr„f-r'r*-'"-- -^ teaching it to others Thil ""'*"' °' «r.ee<).v means of livin J /. * '"''^ ""^ hgious education wSv^r " ^'^ ''" ""led later to sn^^^ l^Z 7\^' '": VHtion of the soi.U nf «, '"'' *''*' »«'■ "ndertheirrrS;J.rn\lt,^7rtr rehef of their bodily aihnents ""^ '" ""« ofi~itttL:'::7Sr''';''--*''«'j^ examens. Every niX!h n*^ K»«ic"lar -hiect of r.,edi^ t Softhel r^^V'"'' "■• 'eque^t a Novice to do so T!^""^ '^''^' should oeenpy„,„,,e..T„„S:;''""'^<' to tt:-t:,''S,„^-::^-7 according '"•eeding, will correct "th::'"*^. '"'^, ^-^ o'-nner.andnot«l,owt;tir/,tnt v^hich re- times in itions in ns of re- instruct L'h their ^m, and ^od of le and ood re- be en- he sal- y come to the ithods ieular re the ? day, Preise rding good arity iend- CONSTITUTIONS 93 ships. She will also instruct them in the works of the Institute. She will prepare those who she thinks have the ability to teach in the schools of the Institute. She will instil into the mindsof her Novices sentimentsof deep respect for the Communi- ty sisters, and particularly for the Superior General. She will warn them of the dangers to be encountered in the r^rlor, and allow them to go there as seldom as possible; she will also read all the letters that they write or receive. 226.— A portion of the time set ar)art for the exercises of the Novitiate can be em- ployed by the Mistress in catechising the Novices to ascertain the progress they are making towards perfection. By this means she can inform herself as to the sr-iritual profit they derive from the means of sanc- tification given them. She will also avail herself of this time to make comments on their conduct, etc. In order to maintain proper discipline in the Novitiate, she will not hesitate to impose penances when neces- sary. 227.— She will be careful tn fouf^r i^ fK« 94 CONSTITUTIONS hearts of the Novices a love for the devo t^ons proper. to the Institute, and not ,1:. mit lie introduction of any new.rehVious that ,t IS through the protection of the jects will he imbued with that real charitv w..ich will make them true servants^fThe' 'thf^"^'''!"' '"'"' '^''' °f the health of ~7r- '" rP'*--'""-^ ^'"^ '" the timid among them and ,,rudently provide for all their wants. She will train them to hal.it" o neatness, order and economy. She w 1 do "^"thing unusual in her government of the Nov^e« without permission of the Supedo: an^f" f ""''' "" ^'^^•■''^ "^o info-n'ed of any fault committed by a Novice, she will receive he information with thankfulness and without allowing her informant to kntw her op,„, „, t„^ delinquent. She wilT ftom tmie to time, make such inquiries as Z*'o7a:t.T°''^'""^""^'«'^*°'^''"-" .«n o "'"''-''""-•'"•ns the Novitiate. AJO.-Some time before the Novices «„ish he devo- not per- eligious n mind of the ler sub- charity i of the alth of 5 timid for all habits will do of the perior led of B will, Iness, know will, ies as fiowl- inish CONSTITUTION'S 95 their Novitiate, the Mistress will advise them as to their course of conduct for the re- mainder of their lives. ^l.-The authority of the Mistress is im- mediately dependent upon that of the Su- perior General. She will be faithful to in- form the latter once a month of the conduct of the Novices, and consult her as to the proper means to employ for their advance- ment in perfection. She will request her to have the Novices brought before the Council every three .nonths. She will instruct the Novices as to the account they have to give of themselves to the Superior General or 9^ fu* ' '"^ '^' ''''''' *^ ^^^ Novitiate. -^^.-Ihough it is desirable for the sake of perfect uniformity of sentiment and action that the Mistress alone should have charge of the Novitiate, the Superior Gen- eral may, when her multiplied duties make It necessary. ap,,oint erne or more sub-Mis- tresses to assist her in certain circumstances. One at least should be thirty years of a-e. It IS proper that the sub-Mistresses act in acicordance with the wishes of their Su- perior officer and should promote confidence 96 CONSTITUTIONS and respect in the Novices towards their first Mistress,- as the latter should cultivate in the sub- Mistresses confidence and respect for the Superior General, whom she repre- sents in the Novitiate. 233. —The sub-Mistresses are bound to ex- ercise a careful surveillance over the Novices everywhere, and faithfully report to the Mistress . hatever they consider she should ' know about thena. 234.— In the Novitiate of a Province, the Mistress will render an account of the state of the Novitiate to the Provincial Superior every month, and to the Superior General every three months. When the term of probation of a Novice is closing, the Mistress will render a more precise and detailed ac- count of her dispositions, qualifications and character, in order that the Superior Gen- eral and the Provincial Superiors may be prepared to form a correct judgrjent as to vhether she should be admitted to profes- sion or not. 235.— The sister charged with the direc- tion of the Novices will study to form them according to the spirit of the Institute, so CONSTITUl ONS 97 rds their cultivate 3 respect e repre- nd to ex- ! Novices to the e should ince, the ;he state Superior General term of Mistress ailed ae- ons and ior Gen- luay be mt as to ) profes- le direc- rn them itute, so that no matter where they may make their Novitiate, they will always and everywhere be recognized as true Sisters of Charity. No new custom can be introduced into any of the houses of the Institute without the approbation of the Superior General and her Council. CHAPTER III. The Novitiate. 236.— The Novitiate is a true solitude, in which the Novices take refuge from the dan- gerous pursuits of a seductive world, the spirit and maxims of which are opposed to the Gospel of Christ. 237.— To profit of the graces whioh await them in this blessed resort they should devote themselves zealously and fervently to its pious exercises, so that when leaving it they may be disposed to renounce all worldly affections and all attachments for- eign to Divine love, and be so changed in their habits of life as to be no longer recog- nized as the same person. 98 CONSTITUTIONS 238.— The Novices should bring into re- ligion a right spirit and a good will, and they should neglect nothing to augment this pre- cious treasure in their hearts, after the ex- ample of our Lord, who grew in wisdom and grace before God and men. A right spirit makes known the way of perfection, and a good will gives courage to walk in it. 239.— They must expect trials, and pre- p'are for them; for the world, the flesh and the devil will not fail to assail them. They will be subjected to interior trials through their separation from their parents, their change of habits, the difficulties they meet Vith in making their spiritual exercises, and especially that of their mental prayer, their public avowal of faults committed, etc. Let them arm themselves with courage to con- quer these dread enemies of their happiness. Let each one say to herself frequently with Saint Bernard "Whereiore have I come here ?" It is to conquer corrupt nature, by abstaining from what it craves, and doing what it rebels against. This practice faith- fully observed will soon enable them to ac- quire the religious virtues, even though CONSTITUTIONS 99 they should have entered the Novitiate bur- dened with many faults. 240.— They will make a meditation twice a day and do all in their power to become famihar with the practice of it. In this way they will conquer self-love and regulate their lives unrestrained by disorderly af- fections. They must understand that they can do nothing of themselves, but can do all with the help of God. 241.— They will make unceasing efforts to acquire the virtues of simplicity, humili- ty, charity and obedience, those virtues be- ing the spiritual foundation of the Institute. They will devote themselves with cheer- fulness to humiliating labors and exercises, and rejoice in being rebuked, maltreated and contemned, even when they feel they are innocent. Animated by a spirit of faith they will thank God for these trials which make them bear some resemblance to their Divine Master, taking them as evidences of His Infinite mercy. He will be glorified by them according as they become mean and contemptible in their own eyes. They will love the practices of Com- 100 CONSTITUTIONS munity life and avoid all singularity. If they are simple, charitable and obedient Novices, they will become good Sisters of Charity. The decisions and advice of their confessor they will accept with full confidence as the great means whereby to guard against the illusions of the evil one, who, in the re- ligious life, often transforms himself into an angel of hght. They will make known to him with simplicity and candor their troubles of conscience. 242.— The Novices will practice the devo- tions* of the Institute as prescribed by the Constitutions. Let them apply themselves to acquire the habit and spirit of prayer, which will make them practice recollection of spirit in the most distracting occupations. "Short prayers but well performed," must be a maxim with them. Their exercises of piety will be made at the hours appointed by the rule. 243.— The Novices will receive Communion every Sunday and holyday; the Postulants every second Sunday. They will observe the Constitutions with joy, love and fidelity, CONSTITUTIONS 101 ty. If tedient ;ters of nfessor i as the ast the the re- into an lown to roubles le devo- [ by the mselves prayer, Election [)ations. 1," must rcises of ) pointed imunion istulants serve the fidelity, and obey their Mistress in all simplicity and humility. They will not absent them- selves from the Novitiate without her per- mission or that of the sub-Mistress. 244. — They will listen to instructions on their religious obligation with an earnest desire to profit by them. They will make their meditation aloud, and render an ac- count of the instructions they receive when- ever the Mistress requires it. Let their chief study be to learn the catechism well, so as to be able to instruct others in the truths of religion. 245, — Let the Novices understand well that they are obliged, after their profession, to go wherever the Superior General may send them. 246.— Postulants who desire to receive the habit, and Novices who wish to make profes- sion will, at the instance of their confessor and Mistress, ask these respective privileges of the Superior General, in writing, some time before the end of their probation, and their whole term in the Novitiate will be considered a season of preparation for these, the mo.st important events of their lives. VNn 102 CONSTITUTIONS 247.— In order the better to purify their consciences, if the confessor permit it, they will make a general confession during their retreat, and they will cherish an ardent de- sire to consecrate themselves to G(»d with all the dispositions so great a sacrifice re- quires. The day of their reception or pro- fession being one of the most beautiful and holy of their lives, will be passed in thanks- giving. They will be allowed to see their relatives, to thank them for any sacrifices made in their regard aiid to testify to the love they bear them. 248.— In order to obtain additional grace and to testify to our Lord her happiness in becoming His spouse, every sister will feel pleasure in repeating the formula of her vows after each holy Communion. She will call to mind, from time to time, that the formula of her vows, signed V)y herself, will be placed in her hands, when her body is laid out for the grave, and that on the obli- gations imposed by her vows she shall be judged. 249.~She will esteem herself happy when the Mistress punishes her for neglect of CONSTITUTIONS ia3 duty. She will labor to atone for her faults 7 overcoming her natural tepidity, and always cherish a spirit of ardent devotion By this means she will dispose herself to enter upon the way of solid perfection for which she prepared herself before entering the Community. 250.-On the day she leaves the Novitiate, she will ask pardon on her knees of her Mis- tress and companions for the faults she may have committed against them; will beg them to continue to pray for her, and give them the kiss of peace. She will then present herself before the Superior General, and make the customary promises. CHAPTER IV. Summary of the Principal Means of Presenringr the Spirit of the Institute. 251 -The frequent reading of the Con- stitutions, the faithful observance of the practices and usages of the Institute. 104 'ON8TTTUTK/NB 353.~Reference to the Superior Ooneral nnd hei Council, and 'o no other, whenever atUmbt occurs about th.- interpretation of a point of ifM-nonHtitutions. No si ter should take it upoii herstelf to make a change in the rule. 253.— Regular meetings of the General Chapter, whose main r>urpose is to main- tain regularity and prevent laxity. , 254.--Having the smallest number pos- sible of separate Novitiates, in order that all the subjects of the Institute be formed to the same spirit. 255.-- The frequent sending of circular letters and the regular visitation of the houses of the Institute. 256.— In order to preserve a iioly union with the deceased members of the Institute the sisters will offer up their Communions on the last Sunday of every month for the repose of their souls. 257.— They will offer up their Commun- ions on the third Sunday of every month in the special intention of obtaining the blessings of peace and prosperity for the Institute. .J'mm^ r General whonever ;ation of a er should ihan^e in General to main- >l)er pos- r that all ormed to circular of the \y union [nstitute m unions 1 for the CONSTlTUTI(>NS 105 25)8.-The faithful practice of the Puiidn mental devotions estal)lished in the Insti tute by our Venerable Founder. Meditation on the Passion of our Lord and the sorrows of His Autrust Mother. 259. -As nothing is dearer to the sisters than the prosperity of their Institute so nothing should bo wanting in them that can contrib-itvtoits advancement and perma- nent existence. General Remark. Notwithstanding the importance of exact- ly oi>serving the rule, the sisters are not hound byit under pain of sin, unless in a matter that is otherwise of precept or or- dained by the Superior General in virtue of noly ol)edience. ommun- y month ling the for the DECREE • OP OUR Most Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII. (No 19,621.) As all things human, however good and holy, are by their very nature liable to abuse; laws, no matter how wisely framed, are sometimes so misinterpreted as not only to frustrate their pur{)ose but to produce an eflect entirely opposite to the intentions of the legislator. It is much to be deplored that such has been the case in regard to the laws of many congregations, societies and institutes of women, who take simple or solemn vows and of laymen. For in some instances where constitutions permit a revelation by subjects of their troubles of conscience to their su- periors in order to acquire special informa- DECREE 107 tion in reprard to the ways that lead to per- fection, some superiors have exacted such a revelation of conscience as is exclusively re- served to the Sacrament of Penance. In like manner, where, accordinjr to the Hoi}- Canons, the constitutions of such com- munities prescribe that sacramental confes- sion shall be made to the ordinary or extra- ordinary confessor, some superiors have usurped the authority to deny their subjects the privileefe of confessing their sins to an extraordinary confessor even in cases where the welfare of their souls made it imperative that they should do so. Finally, where it was left to the discretion of superiors to impose penances on their subjects some superiors have gone so far in the improper exercise of this permission as to deprive them of the privilege of receiving Holy Communion. Hence it has come to pass that salutary and wisely enacted regulations, so whole- some for the preservation and increase of peace and concord in communities, and the spiritual ad vancement of the members there- of, have not unfrequently conduced to worrv \ 108 DECREE of conscience, and disturbance of external peace, as the occasional appeals and com- plaints of subjects to the Holy See show most conclusively. Wherefore our Most Holy Father, Leo XIII. by Divine Providence, Pope, through his special solicitude for thi.i chosen i)ortion of his flock, in an audience granted to me, the Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congre- gation of Bishops and Regulars, on the 14, of December 1891, after due deliberation, has willed, ordained and decreed as follows: His Holiness annuls, abrogates and de- clares void all regulations in the constitu- tions of pious societies and institutes of women whether withsimr)le or solemn vows, and of laymen, though said constitutions bear the approbation of the Holy See even in that form, which is termed most special, that concern the intimate manifestation of heart or conscience. Hence it is strictly en- joined u[)on all the sui)eriors of such insti- tutes, congregations and societies to cancel and entirely expunge from their resi)ective constitutions, directories and manuals the aforesaid regulations. He also annuls and \ ^.-ii^^' DECREE 109 of external Is and com- y See show father, Leo )pe, through osen i)ortion nted to me, red Congre- s, on the 14, dehberation, d as follows: tes and de- he constitu- Institutes of solemn vows, 3on8titutions [oly See even most special, lifestation of IS strictly en- of such insti- ties to cancel i'lT respective manuals the 3 annuls and abolishes all usages and customs to the contrary, even immemorial ones. He positively forbids the said superiors, of what grade soever, to induce their sub- jects directly or indirectly, either by com- mand, counsel, fear, threat or flattery, to make any such manifestation of conscience to them. On the other hand, he enjoins upon subjects to denounce to superiors the subordinate officers who shall presume to induce them to do such; and if there be question of the Superior General, such de- nunciation must be made to this Holy Con- gregation. This, however, in nowise inhibits subjects from opening their minds freely and of their own accord to their superiors, in order that counsel and guidance for the acquiring of virtue and of progress towards perfection mny be received in their doubts and anxie- ties from their superiors. Moreover, whilst maintaining in full force whatever has been prescribed by the Holy Council of Trent in relation to the ordinary and extraordinary confessors of communi- ties, as well as what has been esta})lished bv \ 110 DECREE Benedict XIV., of holy memory, in the Con- stitution "Pastoralis Cura," His Holiness admonishes superiors of all ranks not to re- fuse an extraordinary confessor to their sub- jects when the latter shall ask for one for the relief of their consciences, and not to in- quire into the reasons for such a request on the part of their subjects, much less to show any displeasure. And in order that s(^ judicious a provision shall not be futile, he exhorts the Ordinaries to appoint worthy priests, with requisite faculties, to whom the communities of women, in their several dioceses, may have easy recourse in the Sacrament of Penance. In the matter of the granting or of the prohibiting of Holy Communion, His Holi- ness decrees that such permission or pro- hibition shall appertain exclusively to the ordinary and extraordinary confessors, with- out the superior having any authority to meddle therein, except in the case where a subject, after his latest sacramental confes- sion shall have become a scandal to the community, or committed an external fault of a serious nature. iasEEi V DECREE 111 ', in the Con- Eis Holiness »ks not to re- to their sub- )r one for the id not to in- 3h a request nuch less to Q order that not be futile, point worthy 3S, to whom their several urse in the ng or of the in, His Holi- sion or pro- si vely to the essors. with- authority to 3ase where a ental confes- ndal to the eternal fault Hence all are warned to prepare them- selves carefully for Holy Communion, and to receive it on the days fixed by rule; when, however, a confessor shall judge it expedient for persons to receive more fre- quently, by reason of their fervor or spiritual progress, he shall have authority to permit it. In such cases, whoever shall receive the privilege of more frequent or even daily Communion, must apprise the superior thereof; Hnd if the superior should think that he has just and grave reasons for object- ing, he is bound to make them known to the confessor, by whose judgment he must abide absolutely. His Holiness also commands all general, provincial and local superiors, of the afore- said institutes, whether of men or women to observe studiously and fully the provisions of this decree, under the penalties "Ipso facto" incurred by all who violate the man- dates of the Apostolic See. Finally, His Holiness orders copies of this present decree to be translated into the ver- nacular and inserted in the constitutions of the aforesaid pious institutes to be read in a I \ 112 DECREE Clear and intelligible tone of voice once « year at a fixed ti.e, in each ho^Te^^he ing of the chapter especially convened for this purpose. His Hohness so enacts and decrees, all things to the contrar^n"^ w thstanding even though entitled to spec- ial or individual mention. ^iiyofsaid Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, December 17, 1890. J. CARDINAL VERGA, t FATHER ALOYSIUS, ^''''^'''^^• Bishop of Callink^e, Secretary. i ^•^-^^^i^^sHHlHHHBliMHl^l^ V f voice once a 1 house, either '.or in a meet- >' convened for so enacts and contrary not- ititled to spec- i of the Secre-" Bishops and VERGA, Prefect. (E, cretary.