IF any one, while at work in the kitchen or the cellar, in serving the brethren, in the bakehouse or the garden, or at any other occupation or in any place whatever, commit any fault, or break or lose anything, or transgress in any other way, and do not come immediately before the Abbot and community, and of himself confess and make satisfaction for his fault ; if it is made known by another, he shall be subjected to more severe correction. If, however, the guilt of his offence be hidden in his own soul, let him manifest it to the Abbot only, or to his spiritual seniors, who know how to heal their own wounds, and will not disclose or publish those of others.
The Rule of Saint Benedict
Chapter 46. Of those who offend in any other matters
1 section
Transcribed from a dated scan; artifacts may remain. Edition notes
Trans. D. Oswald Hunter Blair (in religion, Dom Oswald Hunter Blair; David Oswald Hunter Blair, 4th Baronet, 1853-1939), a Benedictine monk of Fort Augustus Abbey, Not part of a named series; a standalone Abbey Press printing, 1906. Public domain.