History of the General Chapters
Article Index
"Since the beginning of Congregation Assemblies have been held in which the Sisters could participate by in the different decisions of the Community. There were several Kinds of Assemblies: those which dealt with important business; which legal documents show well, those which dealt with the admission of novices (Regl. XIV), exceptional Assemblies calling the Sisters together (for example, the one which approved the “Reglements” in 1738) and those which preceded elections. The assemblies of election, later called General Chapters, kept the same norms from 1738 to 1887, date on which the Congregation became of Pontifical right, and adopted a new form of legislation.
The general Chapters were held every three years until the French Revolution. From 1803 (Reconstitution of the Congregation) to 1887, the frequency remained at every three years (this rhythm was interrupted by revolutions and wars, for example in 1870). Then it was every six years from 1887- 1971 (except during the World Wars). The special General Chapter of 1969 modifies this rhythm which changed from every six years to every four years (1971-1975-1979) The General Chapter of 1979 fixed a period of every five years which is still in force today." (Information and Communication Service 2004 - n. 3).
By Sr. Maria Escayola
1762-1821
Nº |
Place |
Date |
Presided by |
Election - votes |
Capitulars |
|
|
1 |
Sainville |
1762 21 November |
Mère La Croix Death 05-16-1801 |
Election of 2 councilors: Sr. Ascensión, Sr. Rose Marie. |
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|
2 |
Janville |
1803 21 November |
Monsieur Granger |
Mère Augustin 11/16 |
8 presents 8 post |
Reconstitution. Assistant: Sr. Laurent, 13/16 |
|
3 |
Janville |
1807 3 june |
Mons. Charrier de la Roche, Bishop of Versailles |
Reelection of M. Augustin 10/11 Death 08-11-1809 |
11 |
The Bishop postponed it from 1806 to 1807, because he wanted to preside it. Sr. Xavier was the acting superior. |
|
4 |
Janville |
1809 16 september Day 18 election Day 20 appointment |
Monsieur Evette, priest and delegate of the bishop of Versailles |
Mère Potentienne 8/13 Started her generalate on November 1809
|
11 presents 5 post +1 deceased Superior: 2 votes |
1st scrutiny without majority 2nd scrutiny over13. Election of the Assistant: Sr. St. François and Mistress of Novices (Sr. Chantal?) |
|
5 |
1810 |
Chapter for the study of Economic Matters |
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Palais des Tuileries 1811, 19 January DECREE OF NAPOLEÓN
|
Approval of the Statutes of the Community, Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin of Janville |
Art. 3: 1 Superior General named every 3 years by plurality of votes, helped by 1 Assistant, 1 Mistress of Novices, 1 Treasurer and 3 Councilors. |
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|
6 |
Janville |
1812, 14 september |
Monsieur Evette, priest and delegate of the bishop of Versailles |
Reelection of M. Potentienne 19/23 |
14 presents 9 post |
Assistant: Sr. Miséricorde. Mistress of Novices: Sr. Chantal (Sr. Pelagie). |
|
7 |
Tours La Riche |
1816, 16 september |
Monsieur Danicourt |
Mère Adelaïde |
Assistant: Sr. Miséricorde Mistress of Novices: Sr. Du Calvaire Treasurer: Sr. Saint-François |
|
|
8 |
Tours La Riche |
1819, 18 october |
Monsieur Danicourt |
Reelection of M. Adelaïde Resignation: september 1821 |
Assistant: Sr. Miséricorde. Mistress of Novices: Sr. Du Calvaire. Councilors: Sr. Pélagie and Sr. Scholastique. |
|
|
9 |
Tours La Riche |
1821, 15 october |
Monsieur Danicourt |
Mère Suzanne |
23 |
Mistress of Novices: Sr. Assomption. |
1824-1843
Nº |
Place |
Date |
Presided by |
Election - votes |
Capitulars |
|
|
10 |
Tours La Riche |
1824 19 october |
Mons. l'Abbé Jean Christophe Fustier, superior |
Mère Assomption
|
Assistant and Treasurer: Sr. Théodore Mistress of Novices and Secretary: Sr, Séraphie Councilors: Sr. Octavie, Sr. Des Anges, Gertrude, Providence |
|
|
11 |
Tours La Riche |
1827 14 november |
Mons. l’Abbé Jean Christophe Fustier, superior |
Reelection of M. Assomption |
Assistant: Sr. Octavie Treasurer: Sr. Savine Mistress of Novices and Secretary: Sr. Séraphie |
|
|
|
1830 |
There was no election due to difficulties in the country |
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|
12 |
Tours La Riche |
1833 30 september |
Mons. l’Abbé Jean Christophe Fustier, superior |
Reelection of M. Assomption |
Had to have in 1830 but postponed due to the Revolution and the cholera epidemy. Assistant: Sr. Séraphie Mistress of Novices: Sr. Emmanuel Treasurer: Sr. Dorothée Councilors: Sr. Du Calvaire, Pélagie, Octavie + Councilor honorary: Sr. Constance |
|
|
13 |
Tours La Riche |
1837
25 september |
Mons. Edme-François Bruchet |
Reelection of M. Assomption |
Presents Post |
Se retrasó un año Assistant: Sr. Séraphie Mistress of Novices: Sr. Providence Treasurer: Sr. Saint Rémy (Sr. Geneviève) Councilors: Sr. Pélagie, Octavie, Gertrude |
|
14 |
Tours La Riche |
1840
12 october |
Mons. Edme-François Bruchet |
Reelection of M. Assomption |
Assistant: Sr. Séraphie Mistress of Novices: Sr. Providence Treasurer: Sr. Prosper Councilors: Sr. Octavie, Gertrude, Colombe |
|
|
15 |
Tours La Riche |
1843
09 october |
Mons. Morlot, archbishop of Tours, assisted by Mr. Edme-François Bruchet, superior and Mr. Guyonner, Chaplain of the Mother House
|
Mère Saint Pierre Needed 4 turns to reach the majority
|
Abolition of vote by post All the Capitulars were present |
Preceded by a retreat of 8 days Elected the Superior general and the Assistant: Sr. Emmanuelle The Mistress of the Novices, Treasurer and 3 Councilors were chosen by the Superior; the Superior general and the Assistant elected. Only changed the Treasurer: Sr. Albertine |
1856-1949
Nº |
Place |
Date |
Election |
|
16 |
Tours |
1846 02 october |
Reelection of M. Saint Pierre |
|
17 |
Tours |
1849 29 september |
Reelection of M. Saint Pierre |
|
18 |
Tours |
1852 13 september |
Reelection of M. Saint Pierre |
|
19 |
Tours |
1855 06 october |
Reelection of M. Saint Pierre |
|
20 |
Tours |
1858 14 september |
Mère du Calvaire |
|
21 |
Tours La Riche |
1861 09 september |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
22 |
Tours |
1864 13 september |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
23 |
Tours |
1867 19 september |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
24 |
Tours |
1872 19 july |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
25 |
Tours |
1875 24 june |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
26 |
Tours |
1878 03 october |
Relection of M. du Calvaire |
|
27 |
Tours |
1881 29 april |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
28 |
Tours |
1884 05 july |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
29 |
Tours |
1887 06-08 september |
Reelection of M. du Calvaire |
|
30 |
Tours |
1888 10 april |
Mère Josepha |
|
31 |
Tours |
1894 03-10 april
|
Reelection of M. Josepha Elections and retreat |
|
32 |
Tours |
1900 18-25 april |
Reelection of M. Josepha |
|
33 |
Tours |
1906 11-18 july |
Reelection of M. Josepha |
|
34 |
Tours |
1912 19-26 june |
Reelection of M. Josepha |
|
35 |
Tours |
1919 01-08 july |
Reelection of M. Josepha |
|
36 |
Tours |
1921 17-02 may |
Mère Leon Joseph |
|
37 |
Tours |
1927 06-13 june |
Reelection of M. Leon Joseph |
|
38 |
Tours |
1933 07-08 july |
Reelection of M. Leon Joseph |
|
39 |
Tours |
1939 21-24 may |
Mère Thérèse Augusta |
|
40 |
Tours |
1947 21-24 may |
Reelection of M. Thérèse Augusta |
|
41 |
Tours |
1953 04-13 may |
Reelection of M. Thérèse Augusta |
|
42 |
Tours |
1959 15-18 may |
Mère Thérèse des Anges |
1965-2019
|
Nº |
Place |
Date |
Election |
Capitulars |
Theme |
|
|
43 |
Roma |
1965 21 may- 02 june |
Reelection of M. Thérèse des Anges |
36 |
Our place in the Church |
|
|
44 |
Roma |
1969 24 april- 23 july |
Special General Chapter (not elective) |
64 |
Special Chapter of “aggiornamento” |
|
|
45 |
Tours |
1971 07 april- 11 june |
Mère Marie Ste. Thérèse |
69 |
Draft of the Constitutions |
|
|
46 |
Roma |
1975 25 may- 06 july |
Reelection of Mère Marie Ste. Thérèse |
68 |
Searching for unity in the process of our renewal |
|
|
47 |
Roma |
1979 05 july- 29 august |
Sr. Inés Mercedes Mejía Toro |
70 |
Approval of the Constitutions |
|
|
48 |
Bucaramanga |
1984 09 july- 20 august |
Reelection of Sr. Inés Mercedes Mejía Toro |
65 |
In view of an Evangelical Renewal |
|
|
49 |
Tours |
1989 23 july- 31 august |
Postulation of Sr. Inés Mercedes Mejía Toro |
72 |
The Project of Marie Poussepin, a project for today |
|
|
50 |
Roma Monte Cucco |
1994 14 october - 15 novembrer |
Sr. María Fabiola Velásquez Maya |
64 |
Beatification of Marie Poussepin Marie Poussepin, Social Apostle of Charity |
|
|
51 |
Tours |
1999 19 july- 28 august |
Reelection of Sr. María Fabiola V. |
69 |
Convoked to live Dominican Life, The Mission of Third Millennium |
|
|
52 |
Tours |
2004 18 july- 24 august |
Sr. Monique Colrat |
72 |
The Congregation in front of her future |
|
|
53 |
Tours |
2009 17 july- 21 august |
Reelection of Sr. Monique Corat |
66 |
Life of the Sisters: Praise, Bless, Preach |
|
|
54
|
Tours |
2014 13 july- 12 august |
Sr. Maria Escayola Coris |
64 |
Now is the favorable time… |
|
|
55 |
Bucaramanga |
2019 12 july- 08 august |
67 |
Sent to transcend the frontiers to revitalize the life and the mission |
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