This is the last chapter that talks about correction. This is slightly different in that it speaks of reproving boys.
THE MANNER OF REPROVING BOYS
As we see, appropriate treatment should be given for the age and understanding level of the individual. Saint Benedict realizes that it isn't good to treat boys as one would grown men, especially with reproofs.
Also, this chapter exists because it wasn't uncommon to send sons to monasteries for their education. It was also common practice for nobles (in the West) to have their oldest son be the heir, and their second son become a priest or a monk.
It is, in fact, where we get oblates from originally; after the 10th Council of Toledo in the 600s decided that children couldn't be offered (oblate is derived from the Latin for offered) until the child was 10 years old, and later could leave the monastery if they chose. Later, the term oblate was applied to lay men and women who attached themselves to a monastery but did not take religious vows.
THE MANNER OF REPROVING BOYS
- Every age and level of understanding should receive appropriate treatment.
- Therefore, as often as boys and the young, or those who cannot understand the seriousness of the penalty of excommunication,
- are guilty of misdeeds, they should be subjected to severe fasts or checked with sharp strokes so that they may be healed.
As we see, appropriate treatment should be given for the age and understanding level of the individual. Saint Benedict realizes that it isn't good to treat boys as one would grown men, especially with reproofs.
Also, this chapter exists because it wasn't uncommon to send sons to monasteries for their education. It was also common practice for nobles (in the West) to have their oldest son be the heir, and their second son become a priest or a monk.
It is, in fact, where we get oblates from originally; after the 10th Council of Toledo in the 600s decided that children couldn't be offered (oblate is derived from the Latin for offered) until the child was 10 years old, and later could leave the monastery if they chose. Later, the term oblate was applied to lay men and women who attached themselves to a monastery but did not take religious vows.
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