CHAPTER XXVI: Of those who keep company with the excommunicated without the command

Of more grievous faults.

Let that Brother who is guilty of more grievous faults be denied both the table and the Oratory. Let none of the Brethren discourse with him not keep him company. Let him be alone at the work enjoined him, continuing in penance and sorrow, knowing that terrible sentence of the Apostle, who saith, "That such a one is delivered over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord." [166] Let him take his portion of food alone, in such measure and at such time as the Abbot shall think fit: let not anyone bless him as he passes by, not the food that is given to him. __________________________________________________________________

[166] I. Cor. v. 5. __________________________________________________________________

Of those who keep company with the excommunicated without the command of the Abbot.

If any Brother shall presume, without the command of the Abbot, to join himself in any way to the excommunicated Brother, or to talk with him, or send him a message, let him incur the same penalty of excommunication. __________________________________________________________________