Tips on Cultivating the Virtue of Mortification

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Lately I have been looking for ways to go against my natural inclinations through this powerful virtue. After reading about the wondrous effects it can have, I was wondering if you have any good suggestions. There are two types of mortification: interior and exterior, with the interior mortification consisting in controlling our passions and affections by refraining from rash words and things like that. Exterior mortification is creating discomfort through fasting and other austere practices. I not planning on sleeping on broken glass or any thing extreme, just some good advice on maintaining this virtue and simple practices that will help me overcome my own sensuality.
Thanks for all the help.
 
SammyRose said:
Lately I have been looking for ways to go against my natural inclinations through this powerful virtue.
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Good for you!
SammyRose said:
There are two types of mortification: interior and exterior, with the interior mortification consisting in controlling our passions and affections by refraining from rash words and things like that.
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My suggestion would be to first decide what you want to work on. Write out the things you want to change so you have it in front of you, then figure out how you can deny yourself in those categories. Make a plan, and a contract with yourself helps. Also, go slowly and start small. We used to repeat an old saying in nursing school when we felt overwhelmed: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
SammyRose said:
Exterior mortification is creating discomfort through fasting and other austere practices. I not planning on sleeping on broken glass or any thing extreme
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I’m glad you said “nothing extreme.” Now, not knowing what constitutes as extreme in your book, I’m going to suggest you work under the guidance of a spiritual director for any exterior mortifications. Sometimes people who, say, fast too much, become anemic or deficient in nutrients. Sometimes, working at this alone can lead to extreme practice without you even realizing it. The spiritual director, as an outside perspective, can be a safeguard. And if they warn you against something, you’ll win merit by obeying them.

Best of luck to you, and may the dear Lord bless and keep you!
 
St. Therese, I think, mentioned choosing the less preferred option as a small mortification. Nothing physically exhausting or demanding for small daily sacrifices – just offering to God small denials.
 
You could sleep without a pillow. That is something simple you could do for lent.

You could get up exactly when you wake up in the morning and not hesitate one bit.

If you’re about to say something not very nice. Or even say something that is just idle talk, not worth saying in the first place, you could hold it back and remain silent.
 
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My Lenten hovel.
 
Sometimes I wonder where Jesus slept while wandering. And if even He got bug bites.
 
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One day I hope to forage off the land just like Euell Gibbons!
 
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One of the most important and biggest mortifications for me is probably what we call “custody of the eyes.”

For example, I’ve been going to the climbing gym lately. Lots of very fit and trim women in their 20s all wearing stretch pants / tights pretty much for indoor rock climbing. I’m not in my 20s so my testosterone and libido are not crazy off the charts or anything but it’s a crucial habit that one needs to be vigilant about. I’m not perfect at it by any means, but if I or any person were to let it slip a bit. It would quickly be a downward slope. So, that is a form of mortification of the senses, necessary for man to be free.

But on the other hand, it’s a bit of desensitization as a person get’s somewhat used to seeing what one is seeing in the gym setting all the time. (Of course, I never compare notes with other men, nor do I necessarily study other men to notice if they are staring, etc.)

Yeah, so a bit of a detour and yet not on the topic of mortification. There are so many kinds.
 
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Soldier, you are going to need done serious mosquito spray. Hoorah!
 
I was just reviewing the original 1221 Rule for the Third Order Franciscans this evening. There’s some serious mortification in there:

1221 Rule for Secular Franciscans

I’ve been thinking about joining the Franciscans (lay association or Third Order) and so have been looking at groups who follow one of the Rules (1221/1289, 1883, or 1978).

No way I can follow this Rule, even with the slight modifications for modern life. But it has encouraged me to take on at least one of their practices for Lent.
 
Friend of mine (female) does small mortifications with her appearance: ie. wears no or minimal makeup, or wears something that isn’t particularly flattering, or doesn’t fuss with her hairdo. She’s a professional so that really is a mortification.
 
I would recommend the book “The Spiritual Combat” for more advice on mortification.
 
Cold baths/showers (might wanna work your way to this one a little at a time)
 
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putting a pebble in your shoe is one that I have heard of and that would drive me INSANE
 
It shouldn’t be a problem. It’s probably only a short drive, anyways.

(jk BTW… Hmmm I would be reluctant to do it myself. Maybe for 5 min though, I could, or perhaps an hour)
 
You could fast on Wednesday and Fridays. That’s usually a healthy and simple step to DIY-Mortification. Anything more than that you should probably consult a spiritual director. Also it would be good to go to daily mass, arriving 30 minutes before to sit before the Blessed Sacrament.
 
Beyond particular deliberate acts of mortification (AKA active mortification), there are hundreds of opportunities for “passive mortification” that occur in our ordinary day…missed bus, power outage in the morning, burnt toast, your baby blowing a diaper out when you’re trying to get the other children ready for school…an annoying task to do, changes brought to your schedule from other people, etc.

These moments shouldn’t be wasted so to speak but can be “supernaturalized” or sanctified. Offering them up cheerfully, with God, to God.

We need both active and passive mortifications…and interior and exterior mortifications.

An interior mortification might be to mortify your memory…or your imagination…pushing away a thought of resentment, or some inappropriate sensual thought, as just two examples.

Exterior mortification is visible, but NOT necessarily (or preferably) noticeable to others (quietly taking the worst piece of chicken in a buffet line).

And what’s useful is to develop an “always spirit” of mortification…quietly done…keeping yourself a bit on a tether so to speak, ready to offer God anything that rolls by you, keeping that running humorous filial conversation with God going.
 
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This is really good Edward. Thanks for sharing it.

(I still plan to scrape my toast off, however, before I eat it. 🙂 The diaper issue is not a problem for my state in life. But I do love the little rascals.)
 
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