Good link Annunciata. I will have to really check it out some time.
In reply to the whipping.
Why have so many Saints done this?
As Catholics, we understand that suffering has value.
It’s not just opus Dei that takes the necessity of penance seriously. All our great orders throughout history have done the same thing.
They are not massochists. Noone takes pleasure in suffering.
But we shall suffer intensely in purgatory, if we don’t atone for our sins in this life. Those who are called to a higher vocation do extra penance / mortification. This follows the example of Christ.
Suffering can and does benefit the whole Church. Unfortunately the world scorns suffering today. It’s avoided like the plague. But in Christianity suffering has immense value. It is necessary for all the reasons already explained. And much more.
Opus Dei people don’t go about their duties whilst constantly whipping themselves.
We must conform the world to Christianity, not the reverse.
Contempt of suffering, is contempt of the cross. It’s satanic.
Most worldly people will kill themselves at the gym, getting plastic surgery, painful diets, play sports. They are happy to go through great suffering, yet talk about penance and they cringe.
Athletes break the pain barrier for years to be the best.
Christians must break the pain barrier to be the best Christian. Not all may choose to, but if you want to be a Saint, you have no choice. Opus Dei is mainly focused on small mortifications, but penance under the guidance of a spiritual director is good too.
Noone ever died from too much penance. Sick people excluded.
But plenty became Saints in glory.
Look at Christ. He is the model for us all. Watch the passion movie, that’s the path we are called to. In our own small way we are to make up what’s lacking in the sufferings of Christ. We do this for Christ. For our salvation and for others.
Look at St Padre Pio. Don’t fool yourself. Here we have a man who prayed for suffering and 1000’s of souls will get to Heaven as a result of his sufferings.
Every Saint loved the Cross that God gave them. They saw the immense benefits that came from their cross. Every single one.
I can’t say anymore. If anyone is worried about penance, then worry about salvation, purgatory etc instead.