One who for serious faults is excommunicated from oratory and table shall make satisfaction as follows. At the hour when the celebration of the Work of God is concluded in the oratory,let her lie prostrate before the door of the oratory,saying nothing, but only lying prone with her face to the ground at the feet of all as they come out of the oratory. And let her continue to do this until the Abbess judges that satisfaction has been made.Then, when she has come at the Abbess's bidding,let her cast herself first at the Abbess's feet and then at the feet of all,that they may pray for her. And next, if the Abbess so orders,let her be received into the choir,to the place which the Abbess appoints,but with the provision that she shall not presume to intone Psalm or lesson or anything else in the oratory without a further order from the Abbess. Moreover, at every Hour,when the Work of God is ended,let her cast herself on the ground in the place where she stands.And let her continue to satisfy in this way until the Abbess again orders her finally to cease from this satisfaction. But those who for slight faults are excommunicated only from table shall make satisfaction in the oratory, and continue in it till an order from the Abbess, until she blesses them and says, "It is enough."

The chapel of Joseph of Arimathea is deep beneath the cathedral.

Behind the altar is a mural of the funeral procession for Jesus, carrying his body to the tomb. The rest is stone. It could seem to have been carved in place

A quarter-century ago the chapel was usually empty in the early morning. I would kneel on the stone steps before the altar until pain extended from knee-cap to neck. Then I would lay prostrate until time or interruption determined it was "enough."

It was never quite enough. Penance, while it plays a role, is never sufficient. Finally we are left dependent on grace, unearned and offered beyond balance or measure.

Deep in Lent may we begin opening to Easter's promise.