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But one who at Tierce, Sext, or None has not come to prayer before the
Psalm is begun and finished does not venture further to enter the Oratory
nor to join himself to those singing the Psalms; but, standing outside, he
awaits the breaking-up of the congregation, and while they are all
coming out does penance lying on the ground, and obtains absolution for his
carelessness and lateness, knowing that he can in no other way expiate the
fault of his sloth, nor can ever be admitted to the service which will
follow three hours later, unless he has been quick to make satisfaction at
once for his present negligence by the help of true humility. But in the
nocturnal assemblies a late arrival up to the second Psalm is allowed,
provided that before the Psalm is finished and the brethren bow down in
prayer he makes haste to take his place in the congregation and join them;
but he will most certainly be subjected to the same blame and penance which
we mentioned before if he has delayed ever so little beyond the hour
permitted for a late arrival.
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