SCC Chapters: A Brief History (continued)

Our last post mentioned the November 23, 1878 letter that Mother Pauline sent to her brother, George, and his wife, Diene.  This letter contained such an easily understable description of a General Chapter that we are including an excerpt of it here:

"The purpose of this letter, dear George and dear Diene, is to inform you about something that greatly interests me and affords me much joy.  The decision has been made that the first General Chapter of the Congregation is to be opened on Pentecost, 1879, and indeed, here in Mont St. Guibert.  Mother Gonzaga and her companion from South America, and Mother Mathilde and her companion from North America have already been invited.  I am exceedingly happy about the prospect of seeing both of them again.  The companions of the Provincial Superiors will be elected in each province at a regional meeting preceding the General Chapter.  There will also be a discussion in these regional meetings as to what is to be presented and considered in the General Chapter in regard to each province.  In recent times the Congregation has spread to such far distant countries, that mutual deliberation about many affairs seems desirable.  The set-up of the foundations, habits, customs, etc., etc., in the various regions of the world are, as is well-known, very diverse; and written communication is, of course, entirely different from a verbal exchange of thinking.  Then, too, the election of the Superior General of the Congregation and her Assistants must take place according to the provisions of the Constitutions.  Times are indeed still distressing, but they are such at present, that we can get together and the considerable amount of money required for the trips is far outweighed by the benefit that the Congregation derives from the General Chapter.  I have asked the Sisters to bring along the reports of the various bishops in each diocese concerning the status and activities of the Sisters, so that they can be submitted to Rome with the report about the General Chapter."

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The Sisters of Christian Charity of the North American Eastern Province will hold our Provincial Chapter from February 14-18, 2019.  Please join us in praying the prayer for our Provincial Chapter.