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PrayerGirl
Guest
What is self-mortification? I’ve heard about it in other threads and on the radio, but I still don’t know what it is.
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e-catholic
Guest
Hi PG,
I found a few items for you, this one is a simple definition from Wikipedia.
The most common form of self mortification is fasting. There are other forms that are practiced in rare circumstances. Many Catholics see the idea of self mortification as something bizarre, they often think of mutilating ones self etc. This is not what this term means.
Here are some links that discuss this in more depth.
opusdei.us/art.php?p=16367
newadvent.org/cathen/10578b.htm
I found a few items for you, this one is a simple definition from Wikipedia.
** literally means “putting the flesh to death”. The term is primarily used in religious and spiritual contexts.
The most common form of self mortification is fasting. There are other forms that are practiced in rare circumstances. Many Catholics see the idea of self mortification as something bizarre, they often think of mutilating ones self etc. This is not what this term means.
Here are some links that discuss this in more depth.
opusdei.us/art.php?p=16367
newadvent.org/cathen/10578b.htm
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yinekka
Guest
Hi Prayer Girl, welcome home. 
According to the *Pocket Catholic Catechism by Fr John Hardon SJ , mortification is the practice of Christian asceticism in order to overcome sin and master one’s sinful tendencies, and through penance and austerity to strengthen the will in the practice of virtue and grow in the likeness of Christ.
The old Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that external mortifications e.g. taking cold showers or having coffee without sugar are good only so far as they spring from an internal spirit i.e. if we want to master our pride or self-love we do external things to help us conquer these vices.
Fr Hardon tells us that *asceticism is spiritual effort or exercise in the pursuit of virtue. Once again we must remember that it is the spiritual change which is more important than the external asceticism. If we wish to know Jesus better we might mortify ourselves by giving up a favourite TV programme and doing some spiritual reading instead.
According to the *Pocket Catholic Catechism by Fr John Hardon SJ , mortification is the practice of Christian asceticism in order to overcome sin and master one’s sinful tendencies, and through penance and austerity to strengthen the will in the practice of virtue and grow in the likeness of Christ.
The old Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that external mortifications e.g. taking cold showers or having coffee without sugar are good only so far as they spring from an internal spirit i.e. if we want to master our pride or self-love we do external things to help us conquer these vices.
Fr Hardon tells us that *asceticism is spiritual effort or exercise in the pursuit of virtue. Once again we must remember that it is the spiritual change which is more important than the external asceticism. If we wish to know Jesus better we might mortify ourselves by giving up a favourite TV programme and doing some spiritual reading instead.
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e-catholic
Guest
Great response. I was concerned that there were no responses to this question after several hours, so I decided to find an answer. Yours was much simpler and to the point.Hi Prayer Girl, welcome home.
According to the *Pocket Catholic Catechism by Fr John Hardon SJ , mortification is the practice of Christian asceticism in order to overcome sin and master one’s sinful tendencies, and through penance and austerity to strengthen the will in the practice of virtue and grow in the likeness of Christ.
The old Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that external mortifications e.g. taking cold showers or having coffee without sugar are good only so far as they spring from an internal spirit i.e. if we want to master our pride or self-love we do external things to help us conquer these vices.
Fr Hardon tells us that *asceticism is spiritual effort or exercise in the pursuit of virtue. Once again we must remember that it is the spiritual change which is more important than the external asceticism. If we wish to know Jesus better we might mortify ourselves by giving up a favourite TV programme and doing some spiritual reading instead.
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AlegreFe
Guest
Hello, I know this was already mentioned but the most common form of “self-mortification” is fasting.
But a person can “fast” from their favorite TV show for a certain length of time. Or “fast” from coffee. Or better yet “fast” from smoking cigarettes. I so want for someone that I know to quit smoking. I tell him that whatever urges he gets to smoke he can “offer it up” to Jesus instead of actually lighting up. That would be a great “fast” for him. But it would have to be something spiritual first, rather than doing it for his health. And then the health benefits would be an added bonus.
But a person can “fast” from their favorite TV show for a certain length of time. Or “fast” from coffee. Or better yet “fast” from smoking cigarettes. I so want for someone that I know to quit smoking. I tell him that whatever urges he gets to smoke he can “offer it up” to Jesus instead of actually lighting up. That would be a great “fast” for him. But it would have to be something spiritual first, rather than doing it for his health. And then the health benefits would be an added bonus.
- Spiritual Mortification - “putting the flesh to death” in a Spiritual sense by Contemplative prayer or meditation (instead of eating or participating in something that would be pleasurable to you)
- Corporal Mortification - literally subjecting the body to physical pain such as fasting and other methods which are not widely practiced
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bpbasilphx
Guest
One of the purposes of fasting is actually the OPPOSITE of “self-mortification.”
It’s training of the will.
By saying “no” to little things like food or other legitimate pleasure, it makes it easier to say “no” to big things like sin.
It’s training of the will.
By saying “no” to little things like food or other legitimate pleasure, it makes it easier to say “no” to big things like sin.
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PhilotheaZ
Guest
The word “mortification” comes from the Latin root meaning “dying,” i.e., when we practice mortification we die to ourselves.
Some of the best forms of mortification are not physical (fasting, etc.) but rather spiritual. Examples: holding your tongue when you are tempted to complain, criticize, or express an unsolicited opinion; doing someone else’s will in preference to your own; not giving in to gossip, curiosity, etc.
There are dangers associated with self-inflicted fasting and other physical mortifications: the risk of overdoing it to the detriment of one’s health; the risk of pride entering in, etc. There is no such risk with the spiritual mortifications I mentioned above.
Some of the best forms of mortification are not physical (fasting, etc.) but rather spiritual. Examples: holding your tongue when you are tempted to complain, criticize, or express an unsolicited opinion; doing someone else’s will in preference to your own; not giving in to gossip, curiosity, etc.
There are dangers associated with self-inflicted fasting and other physical mortifications: the risk of overdoing it to the detriment of one’s health; the risk of pride entering in, etc. There is no such risk with the spiritual mortifications I mentioned above.
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e-catholic
Guest
How is this opposite? Isn’t the purpose of self-mortification the same?
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Trishie
Guest
Dear Friend,
The best form of self-mortification has to be based on love.
Would it not be to consider others and assist them where we are able even when it may be require us to oversome some selfishness. Jesus asked us to take up our cross and follow Him. He didn’t tell us to self-flagellate. Our cross consists of the burdens of daily living, which He wises us to live with peace and generosity. God does not ask us to beat ourselves up. God speaks of LOVE.
“Let us love one another, since love comes from God.” [John 4:7]
“Since the Father loved us so much that He sent You to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away, we too should love one another.” [John 4:10-11] “By such love, everyone will know that we are Your disciples.” “Anyone who says ‘I love God’, and hates his brother is a liar, since a person who does not love the brother that he can see, cannot love God whom he has never seen.” [John 15:12-13, 12:35, 4:20-21]
Our love “is not to be mere words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth.” [John 3:18-19] Your apostle Paul exhorts, “Do not let your love be pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other…If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you must make hospitality your special care.” [Romans 12:9-13]
“Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate” even to the sacrifice of His beloved Son. “Do not judge others and you will not yourself be judged. Grant pardon and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure.” [Luke 6:36-38] “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be children of your Father in heaven, for He causes the sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and His rain to fall on honest and dishonest persons alike…You must therefore be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [Matthew 5:43-48]
“Is there a poor brother among you, one of your brothers, in any town of yours? Do not harden your heart or close your hand against that poor brother of yours, but be open-handed with him.” [Deuteronomy 15:7-8] “Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, ‘for God loves a cheerful giver.’” [Proverbs 28:2] “And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you…for yourselves…for all sorts of good works.” [2Corinthians 9:6-8] “None of us lives for himself only.” [Romans 14:7]
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves…For Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’” [Romans. 15:1-3] “Malice must be banished from your tongue.” [Psalm 34:13] “Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, and plead for the widow. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” [Isaiah 1:17-18]
Remember though, that Jesus said , "LOVE OTHERS AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. Many people lack proper self-esteem, making it difficult for them to genuinely value others. However, Scripture exhorts, “value yourself at your proper worth. Who can justify a man who runs himself down, or respect a man who despises himself.” [Ecclesiasticus 10:28-29]
The best form of self-mortification has to be based on love.
Would it not be to consider others and assist them where we are able even when it may be require us to oversome some selfishness. Jesus asked us to take up our cross and follow Him. He didn’t tell us to self-flagellate. Our cross consists of the burdens of daily living, which He wises us to live with peace and generosity. God does not ask us to beat ourselves up. God speaks of LOVE.
“Let us love one another, since love comes from God.” [John 4:7]
“Since the Father loved us so much that He sent You to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away, we too should love one another.” [John 4:10-11] “By such love, everyone will know that we are Your disciples.” “Anyone who says ‘I love God’, and hates his brother is a liar, since a person who does not love the brother that he can see, cannot love God whom he has never seen.” [John 15:12-13, 12:35, 4:20-21]
Our love “is not to be mere words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth.” [John 3:18-19] Your apostle Paul exhorts, “Do not let your love be pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other…If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you must make hospitality your special care.” [Romans 12:9-13]
“Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate” even to the sacrifice of His beloved Son. “Do not judge others and you will not yourself be judged. Grant pardon and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure.” [Luke 6:36-38] “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be children of your Father in heaven, for He causes the sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and His rain to fall on honest and dishonest persons alike…You must therefore be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [Matthew 5:43-48]
“Is there a poor brother among you, one of your brothers, in any town of yours? Do not harden your heart or close your hand against that poor brother of yours, but be open-handed with him.” [Deuteronomy 15:7-8] “Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, ‘for God loves a cheerful giver.’” [Proverbs 28:2] “And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you…for yourselves…for all sorts of good works.” [2Corinthians 9:6-8] “None of us lives for himself only.” [Romans 14:7]
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves…For Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’” [Romans. 15:1-3] “Malice must be banished from your tongue.” [Psalm 34:13] “Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, and plead for the widow. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” [Isaiah 1:17-18]
Remember though, that Jesus said , "LOVE OTHERS AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. Many people lack proper self-esteem, making it difficult for them to genuinely value others. However, Scripture exhorts, “value yourself at your proper worth. Who can justify a man who runs himself down, or respect a man who despises himself.” [Ecclesiasticus 10:28-29]
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