The Rule of St. Benedict · 26 of 69

Chapter 30: Concerning boys under age, holy they shall be corrected

Every age or intelligence ought to have its proper bounds. Therefore as often as boys or youths, or those who are less able to understand how great is the punishment of excommunication: as often as such persons offend, they shall either be afflicted with excessive fasts, or coerced with severe blows, that they may be healed.