The Chapter of Faults


The Chapter of Faults is held every Friday, following the Disciplina. Several communities within one house will have separate chapters (Novices, Professed, Priest members, each having their own).

The object of this exercise, which is common to all well regulated Communities, is to make the spirit humble and to mortify the flesh by acknowledging one's faults anew.

Those things of which one accuses himself are the non observances of the norms and directives laid out in the Constitutions or specific rules for the house. One never confesses faults that are purely interior - or sins that are meant for the Sacrament of Penance - but only those faults committed in the presence of his confreres. Those Religious who by reason of their charge are obliged to violate some points of the Constitutions, such as silence, do not accuse themselves of those faults, as they could not have done otherwise.

They accuse themselves simply and briefly; sincerely, hiding nothing; humbly, not excusing themselves; charitably, not accusing others nor revealing their faults.

The community begins with the Veni, Sancti Spiritus, after which they chant the first half of the Confiteor, stopping after the third “mea culpa”. At this time, the Religious accusing himself comes forward, kneels in a determined place, with downcast eyes and hands joined. Having finished accusing himself,  he receives his penance, rises and returns to his place.

Once all those who wish to come forward have done so, the Superior may choose to address some things pertaining to the observance of the Constitutions and rules of the house that he sees as being lax in the community. In his words to the community, he is not to address himself to any one in particular. After this is done or, if he has nothing to add, after the last Religious has spoken, all present finish the second half of the Confiteor, and the Superior gives the Absolution "Misereatur" and "Indulgentiam".

The Religious will have a higher opinion of and greater esteem for a confrere who accuses himself with simplicity, even when his faults are serious; for though the Religious never doubted that he was a sinner, they know now by his confession that he is humble, that he esteems humiliation, and that he has made amends for his faults by his humility.

They never speak outside the Chapter of what has occurred therein. This secrecy is so binding that it resembles somewhat that of Confession and, therefore, they must not break it.

HOME