Chapter Forty-Four
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Of Those Who Are Excommunicated—How They Make Satisfaction
WHOEVER is excommunicated for graver faults from the oratory or the table should lie outstretched in silence before the door of the oratory the entire time that Work of God is celebrated in the oratory, but let him cast himself face down on the ground, completely prone at the feet of the entire community as they exit the oratory. And let him do this until the Abbot determines that it is enough. When the Abbot bids, let him come and cast himself at his feet, and then at the feet of all so that they may pray for him. Then, if the Abbot orders it, let him be received back into the choir in the place which the Abbot shall determine. Certainly, he should not presume to intone a psalm or a lesson or anything else in the oratory, unless the Abbot again orders it. What is more, at all the Hours, when the Work of God is finished, let him cast himself on the ground in the place where he stands, and thus let him make satisfaction, until the Abbot orders him to conclude his penance.
But those who for lesser faults are excommunicated from the table only should make satisfaction in the oratory, until the Abbot gives the order; let them so continue until he gives his blessing and says, “It is enough.”