Mortification

[Brooklyn]

Interesting question in Ask the Apologist about using a cilice. Fr. Serpa’s answer was: “Forget such extreme measures. They seldom work. It is your attention that He wants–which is why He has allowed you to have the trouble you are having in the first place.”

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=6569644#post6569644

I’d like to know other people’s opinion on this, especially if you have ever used mortification such as this. I’ve heard of doing such things as just putting pebbles in your shoes, or as mentioned in the post, taking a cold shower.

I personally think these things can be very helpful. Any opinions on this?

 

[puzzleannie]

I’d like to know other people’s opinion on this, especially if you have ever used mortification such as this. I’ve heard of doing such things as just putting pebbles in your shoes, or as mentioned in the post, taking a cold shower.

I personally think these things can be very helpful. Any opinions on this?

my opinion is that the person who asked on AAA did the right thing, asking for competent spiritual direction, before adopting any penitential practice. I think it is of far greater spiritual benefit to accept gratefully without grumbling, resentment or complaining, in the spirit of true humility the mortifications that are part of life with other people.

 

[BVM_1221]

Interesting question in Ask the Apologist about using a cilice. Fr. Serpa’s answer was: “Forget such extreme measures. They seldom work. It is your attention that He wants–which is why He has allowed you to have the trouble you are having in the first place.”

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=6569644#post6569644

I’d like to know other people’s opinion on this, especially if you have ever used mortification such as this. I’ve heard of doing such things as just putting pebbles in your shoes, or as mentioned in the post, taking a cold shower.

I personally think these things can be very helpful. Any opinions on this?

Yes, I have used, and still use, both a metallic cilice and a sort of hairshirt made of burlap. Actually more of an open vest then a shirt. I have gynecomastia, and prefer not to have the burlap rubbing against my nipples:shrug:

BUT BUT BUT…this is done under the permission of my Spiritual Director. I only wear it at home. I may mention it on these forums, but never to anyone I see on a daily basis. This to avoid spiritual pride. Pride in your mortifications, making sure everyone around you knows what you are doing, kills all spiritual benifits.:tsktsk:

Of course, in our current culture, you can try proven old time mortifications like abstinance every friday, not just in Lent. Fasting once a week. Or…and this is a killer…one or more days a week without TV.:bigyikes:

Or mortification of time. Eucherist Adoration. More prayer, such as the Liturgy Of The Hours.

But in all cases, run this by your Spiritual Director. And if you decide to fast, get a physical checkup from your Physician and ask for guidelines.:yup:

 

[Brooklyn]

Yes, I have used, and still use, both a metallic cilice and a sort of hairshirt made of burlap. Actually more of an open vest then a shirt. I have gynecomastia, and prefer not to have the burlap rubbing against my nipples:shrug:

BUT BUT BUT…this is done under the permission of my Spiritual Director. I only wear it at home. I may mention it on these forums, but never to anyone I see on a daily basis. This to avoid spiritual pride. Pride in your mortifications, making sure everyone around you knows what you are doing, kills all spiritual benifits.:tsktsk:

Of course, in our current culture, you can try proven old time mortifications like abstinance every friday, not just in Lent. Fasting once a week. Or…and this is a killer…one or more days a week without TV.:bigyikes:

Or mortification of time. Eucherist Adoration. More prayer, such as the Liturgy Of The Hours.

But in all cases, run this by your Spiritual Director. And if you decide to fast, get a physical checkup from your Physician and ask for guidelines.:yup:

Excellent advice- thank you!

 

[Lief_Erikson]

"Brooklyn:

I’d like to know other people’s opinion on this, especially if you have ever used mortification such as this. I’ve heard of doing such things as just putting pebbles in your shoes, or as mentioned in the post, taking a cold shower.

I personally think these things can be very helpful. Any opinions on this?

They definitely can be extremely helpful, if done in the right spirit. Almost all the saints practiced extremely rigorous corporal and spiritual mortifications, and those that didn’t take these on by choice received tortuous diseases or other afflictions from God.

Here are two of the important verses to keep in mind.
1 Cor. 13:3-4:

3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Mortifications, whether great or small, must always be humble and loving. To the extent that they are not, they are worse than worthless, for vanity and spiritual greed (a fault one of my spiritual advisors once warned me I might be falling into) are barriers between us and God. The reason big mortifications are higher than small ones, if carried out in the right spirit, is that they require greater self-abandonment of us and unite us more fully with the Cross of Christ from which salvation flows.

Yet a small mortification, like a pebble in the shoe, carried out with real love is worth much in Heaven. The reason the saints practiced great mortifications is that they loved so much. If someone practices a great mortification without being guided into it through genuine love of God and souls, their mortification could well be the result of self-love, and this could actually make it detrimental to their spiritual growth.

The other thing to remember is what BVM and puzzleannie have said, that we should enter such mortifications only with the permission of our spiritual directors.

I may mention it on these forums, but never to anyone I see on a daily basis. This to avoid spiritual pride.

These forums are the source of some of my greatest temptations to pride. Reviewing my posts that have been complimented is a terrible temptation to pride that I struggle with, and the affirming thoughts and words of many people here flatter my vanity. So I have to always be careful. I recommend that you take care, too . The enemy likes to hit us where we don’t expect it.

 

[Monica4316]

I agree with what everyone else has said here

I don’t practice such mortifications simply because I do think they would tempt me to pride. This should only be done under the guidance of a spiritual director. But it’s good to do smaller things… for example… if I were to use a discipline, I’d start thinking how “holy” I am because many of the Saints did this too. But if I walk around with a little pebble in my shoe or don’t reply to a rude remark or pray for someone who hurt me, - this would do much more spiritual good because it’s hard to feel pride over these things (although still possible so we should always be careful!). Also if you do any sort of mortification - even spiritual mortification - it’s best not to talk about it to anyone except your spiritual director, or perhaps anonymously (like at these forums), but don’t talk about it to your friends or people you know cause it might become a huge temptation. (it’s happened to me.)

God bless

 

[roveau]

I offer my physical training as a mortification to the holy souls in Purgatory. I train very hard at running, at the gym and my trainer puts me through the grind once a week. But I do get a benefit out of it with good health and ability to work hard at my employment (male nurse) at my age (60).

I don’t go around bragging. I make an exception by discussing about what I give up for Lent, Advent, the usual meatless Fridays because it gives me a great excuse to discuss religion with friends and colleagues and be a witness to encourage them to think about God in their lives. If I lose out on any mortification benefits in the process, so be it because it has gone to a greater benefit.