“Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley opened his recent interview with Father Jonathan Kelly using a verse from the Book of Proverbs: “as iron sharpens iron, one person sharpens another.”

Father Kelly, rector of the St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, said the verse is often discussed at the seminary. He joined Conley to discuss the value of and effective ways to deliver what he calls “fraternal correction.”

Fraternal correction means a brother reproving a brother, Father Kelly said, implying some kind of relationship. And the correction is mainly for the sake of the one who commits the fault, “for their own good,” he said.

“It’s usually a serious fault,” Father Kelly said, “not just something that bothers us, but when someone’s causing harm to themselves or others, we need to speak into that situation out of concern for the person and those who are being hurt.” It’s considered an exercise of charity, he said, and when done well, can strengthen relationships.

Father Kelly advised asking oneself a few questions before proceeding. What is the right time? What is best for the other person, “not just for me.” Is the person able to receive this? And is this person someone I have a relationship with?

Quoting St. Thomas, Father Kelly said, “if certain correction will crush my brother, that’s not charity.” God is gradual with us, Father Kelly said, so we need to be gradual with other people, too.

As far as “how,” Father Kelly advised going to the person directly, saying in as few words as possible one’s own experience of the situation. “Go in that spirit of gentleness and humility,” start by asking for forgiveness in any way needed, then tell the person “how we experienced what they did and not implying motive.”

At the seminary, with 100 men living in close quarters, fraternal correction is about how to live well with one another, Father Kelly said. “We want to be a Christian community and not an evaluative environment,” he said. Developing friendship and a community takes patience, understanding and forgiveness, and requires hard work, intentionality and a commitment to the other, he said. “If we’re living in that kind of environment, if we’re fostering a culture of honoring and affirmation, then we can take correction.”

To hear the full interview with more tips, and details on how Father Kelly delivered a fraternal correction, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. March 25 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and also airs at 1 p.m. March 26 and 2 p.m. March 27.

To learn more about St. John Vianney College Seminary, visit semssp.org/vianney.

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Carolyn Puccio, delegate for consecrated life in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Allison Spies, archives manager for the archdiocese, who discuss the contributions from religious sisters in the archdiocese; and Maribel Laguna, who discusses the value of psychotherapy and the Catholic Psychotherapy Association’s upcoming conference, “Grace Transforms Nature.”