Chapter 9

That penance is to be enjoined the sisters who offend; and of their demeanour outside the Monastery.

First—If any sister, by the instigation of the enemy, sin mortally, against the form of her profession, and be admonished two or three times by the Abbess or the other sisters, and do not amend, as many days as she remains refractory, so many days she is to eat bread and water on the ground before all the sisters in the refectory, and endure greater penance if the Abbess think proper, and if she still remains obstinate and contumacious, they are to pray to God to give her grace to be penitent.

Secondly—The Abbess and sisters are to be careful not to shew anger or disquiet at their sister’s offences, for anger and perturbation hinder charity in themselves and others.

Thirdly—If any dissension happen among the sisters, which God forbid there should, she who gave the occasion, before she offers to God the sacrifice of prayer, shall prostrate herself at her sister’s feet, and not only beg pardon, but also humbly entreat her to pray devoutly to her Saviour, that he may be pleased to forgive her.

Fourthly—The sisters who are injured are to remember the words of our Saviour, who says: If you do not forgive with your whole heart, your heavenly Father shall not forgive you; therefore you must freely forgive your sisters that injured you.

Fifthly—The sisters who serve outside the Monastery are to stay no longer than manifest necessity requires.

Sixthly—They shall appear modestly, speak but little, to the end that those who see them may be edified. They are to be careful not to keep suspected company or fellowship with any one, or to stand godmothers to any man’s son or daughter, lest there should arise thereby scandal or perturbation. They shall not presume to relate in the Monastery any news they heard, nor in the world any thing that is said or done in the Monastery, to prevent any scandal that might arise from it. If any of the sisters should offend through ignorance, the Abbess is charitably to enjoin her some penance, but if through an evil custom, she is to give her a greater penance, according to her fault, by the advice of her Council.