Chapter 29
a bandage or one of oil, but the growth spreads faster than any curative means to stop it—like a cancer that infects every member with decay—then, after consulting with other experienced physicians, cut off the rotten member, so that the whole body of the Church may not become corrupt. Of course, be not too quick to cut and do not resort to the finetoothed saw, but use the knife first to cut out the abscess, that, through the removal of the real cause of the sickness, the body may be relieved of pain. But should you be dealing with an impenitent and inwardly dead soul, then, in sorrow and pain, cut it away as an incurable member" (II, xli).
TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER
Readmittance of Brethren who have left the Cloister In case a brother who has left the cloister through his own fault should wish to return, let him promise a thorough reforma tion of the faults on account of which he went away; then let him be readmitted, but in the lowest place, in order that his humility may thereby be tested.
But if the goes away again, let him be readmitted up until a third time.1 Then, though, he must know that every avenue of return will be barred to him.
THIRTIETH CHAPTER
The Correction of Younger Boys Every age and degree of intelligence must have its own kind of treatment.2 Consequently, as often as boys, especially such as are under age or such as cannot grasp how severe a punish ment excommunication really is, become guilty of transgressions, let such (youngsters) be disciplined with strict fasts or be smart ly whipped, so that they may be cured.
ADMIN1STRA T I O N (chaps, xxxi to lvii) 1 We do not have here the case of one who has been expelled after a juridical sentence of dismissal, but the case of a monk who was an "apostate," that is, a renegade who has left the cloister on his own initiative. St. Pachomius provided that one "who had departed from the company of his brethren and been readmit ted after doing adequate penance, should not be reinstated in his (former) place without the permission of his superior" (Rule 136).
2 At the beginning of a chapter, the Holy Rule sometimes lays down some general truth or premise, from which St. Benedict draws conclusions in order to bolster up his monastic provisions (cf. chap, xxxvii).