One Who for Serious Faults Is Excommunicated
In the monastery, those who commit serious faults are excommunicated from oratory and table, and must make satisfaction through prostration and humility until the Abbess judges that forgiveness has been granted.
St. Benedict of Nursia preaches about the process of making satisfaction for serious and slight faults through humility, submission, and obedience. Those excommunicated for serious faults must prostrate themselves before the oratory, seeking forgiveness and making amends until the Abbess deems it sufficient. They are then allowed back into the choir with restrictions. For those with minor faults, they must also seek forgiveness in the oratory until the Abbess is satisfied, emphasizing the importance of repentance and seeking reconciliation.
Text
One who for serious faults is excommunicated
from oratory and table
shall make satisfaction as follows.
At the hour when the celebration of the Work of God is concluded
in the oratory,
let her lie prostrate before the door of the oratory,
saying nothing, but only lying prone with her face to the ground
at the feet of all as they come out of the oratory.
And let her continue to do this
until the Abbess judges that satisfaction has been made.
Then, when she has come at the Abbess's bidding,
let her cast herself first at the Abbess's feet
and then at the feet of all,
that they may pray for her.
And next, if the Abbess so orders,
let her be received into the choir,
to the place which the Abbess appoints,
but with the provision that she shall not presume
to intone Psalm or lesson or anything else in the oratory
without a further order from the Abbess.
Moreover, at every Hour,
when the Work of God is ended,
let her cast herself on the ground in the place where she stands.
And let her continue to satisfy in this way
until the Abbess again orders her finally to cease
from this satisfaction.
But those who for slight faults are excommunicated
only from table
shall make satisfaction in the oratory,
and continue in it till an order from the Abbess,
until she blesses them and says, "It is enough."
Sermon Outline
- Punishment for Serious Faults
- Method of Satisfaction
- Reconciliation
- Gradual Restoration
- Ongoing Satisfaction
- Daily prostration
- Continuing until Abbess orders cessation
Key Quotes
“At the hour when the celebration of the Work of God is concluded in the oratory, let her lie prostrate before the door of the oratory, saying nothing, but only lying prone with her face to the ground at the feet of all as they come out of the oratory.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“And let her continue to do this until the Abbess judges that satisfaction has been made.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“And let her cast herself first at the Abbess's feet and then at the feet of all, that they may pray for her.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Humility and submission are essential for recognizing and repenting of one's faults.
- The Abbess plays a crucial role in guiding individuals towards restoration and reconciliation.
- Satisfaction and forgiveness are not one-time events, but ongoing processes that require effort and commitment.