Prior to the Vatican II the sole tasks of the Provincial Chapter were "to elect...delegates and substitutes to represent the province at the general chapter and to discuss matters of importance regarding the whole province" (1966 Interim Constitution; cf. 1931 Constitution).This last task consisted in drawing up questions and recommendations for the General Chapter and to responding to suggestions from sisters in the Province.After Vatican II, the American Province obtained a higher degree of autonomy and the Chapter became "the highest legislative body of the Province" when meeting as a Chapter of Affairs (1978 Directory).Chaptershave become more frequent.Chapter delegates meet as a Chapter of Elections to elect Provincial Leadership and as a chapter of Affairs to make policy decisions at least once every three years.Between Chapters, the delegates meet as a Provincial Assembly, a consultative body to the Provincial Council, at least once a year.

The 1966 Chapter, the first of the Vatican II era, was prepared for by the work of five committees: Theology of Religious Life, Formation, Apostolic Works, Common Life, and Government and Organization.These committees took opinions from sisters and formulated recommendations for the Chapter.The use of such preparatory committees became standard for Provincial Chapters.

The 1971-1973 Chapter of renewal was preceded by area meetings in April 1970, and impromptu meetings of sisters in Chicago and Huntington, IN, in May 1970, and of sisters in health care in July 1970.It was prepared for by ten committees which began their work in November 1970:1) Formation, 2) Constitution, 3) Continuing Formation, 4) Theology and Concepts of Religious Life, 5) Prayer Life, 6) Community Life, 7) Apostolic Services, 8) Government and Organization, 9) Retirement and Health Programs, and 10) Finances.The Prayer Life, Community Life, and Apostolic Services committees were subdivided into regional committees. The work of all these committees was coordinated by a Steering Committee.

The Provincial Assembly of June 1974 created a Government Committee to work out solutions to questions which arose with the new governmental structure concerning the method of election of Provincial Leadership and Chapter delegates, the purview of the Community and Social Services Commission, the role of the area coordinators, and the position of the commissioner of the Finance Commission.In 1975 the Committee conducted a survey of sisters' attitudes toward the new government structures.The Government Committee was discontinued after the first session, June 1976, of the 1976-1977 Provincial Chapter.

The Provincial Chapter of 1985 created an Ad Hoc Government Committee to develop a proposal for a new model of government for the 1988 Provincial Chapter.This committee conducted extensive consultations with past and present council members, outside experts, and other communities.It reported to and received feedback from the Provincial Assemblies of 1986 and 1987. The 1985 Chapter also mandated a Govenrment Evaluation Committee to evaluate the new structures.This committee became active in 1993.

What follows is a list of Provincial Assembly and Chapter meetings, beginning with the 1935 Chapter (unless otherwise noted, Chapter means Chapter of Affairs):

Provincial Chapter - June 13-14, 1935

Provincial Chapter - September 8, 1948

Provincial Chapter of Elections - February 2, 1949

Provincial Chapter - August 18, 1954

Provincial Chapter - August 18, 1960

Provincial Chapter - August 13-17, 1966

Provincial Chapter - 1971-1973

Session 1 - July 24-25, 1971

Session 2 - August 8-15, 1971

Session 3 - November 26-27, 1971

Session 4 - December 26-31, 1971

Session 5 - June 16-24, 1972

Session 6 (Elections) - March 10, 1973

Session 7 (Elections) - April 7, 1973

Provincial Assembly - June 20-23, 1974 - "Reconciliation"

Provincial Assembly - November 28-29, 1974

Provincial Assembly - June 16-18, 1975

Provincial Assembly - February 13-15, 1976

Provincial Chapter of Elections - February 15, 1976

Provincial Chapter of Elections - March 27, 1976

Provincial Chapter - 1976-1977 - "Deep Faith Expressed in Simplicity"

Session 1 - June 12-14, 1976

Session 2 - December 19, 1976

Session 3 - May 13-15, 1977

Provincial Chapter - August 1-4, 1978 - "Build Tomorrows in Justice and Hope"

Provincial Chapter of Elections - January 20, 1979

Provincial Assembly - July 7, 1979

Provincial Assembly - April 19-20, 1980 - "Go Forward in Faith"

Provincial Assembly - July 31, 1981 - "Trust"

Provincial Chapter of Elections - March 5, 1982

Provincial Chapter - July 26-31, 1982 - "To be with Him...To be sent"

Provincial Assembly- August 12, 1983 - "Attuned to the Spirit"

Provincial Assembly - June 25-26, 1984 - "Go Forward in Hope and Joy"

Provincial Chapter of Elections - January 18, 1985

Provincial Chapter - June 17-22, 1985 - "Mission Magnified"

Provincial Assembly - June 10-12, 1986 - "Mission Magnified"

Provincial Assembly - June 11-12, 1987 - "Journey into the Future"

Provincial Chapter - 1988 - "Impacting the Future"

Session 1 - January 8-10, 1988

Session 2 (Elections) - March 19, 1988

Session 3 - June 16-21, 1988

Provincial Assembly - June 20, 1989