When Anyone Has Made a Mistake
When making mistakes in prayer, humility and satisfaction are necessary to correct the error and avoid greater punishment.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of humility and correction when mistakes are made while reciting Psalms, responsories, antiphons, or lessons. He highlights the need for individuals to humble themselves before all by making satisfaction for their errors, rather than facing a greater punishment for not correcting their mistakes through humility. St. Benedict also mentions that boys, in particular, should be disciplined with physical correction for such faults.
Text
When anyone has made a mistake
while reciting a Psalm, a responsory,
an antiphon or a lesson,
if he does not humble himself there before all
by making a satisfaction,
let him undergo a greater punishment
because he would not correct by humility
what he did wrong through carelessness.
But boys for such faults shall be whipped.
Sermon Outline
- Mistakes in Prayer
- Correcting Mistakes
- Specific Guidelines for Boys
- Humility and Satisfaction
- Greater Punishment for Unrepentant Mistakes
Key Quotes
“If he does not humble himself there before all by making a satisfaction,” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- When making mistakes in prayer, it's essential to humble yourself and make a satisfaction to correct the error.
- Greater punishment will be incurred if you don't correct your mistakes through humility.
- Boys should be held accountable for their mistakes and punished accordingly.