Corporal Mortification

[PioMagnus]

Hello,

Just a quick question: Where can I find support for penances such as fasting, abstaining, and most specifically CORPORAL MORTIFICATION.

Minor Corporal Mortification is very helpful to me spiritually, but I was having a conversation with a prot. friend and I realized didn't know the biblical support for it. I remember running across something before, but I don't remember where or what. I would really appreciate it if some of you could point me to the appropriate verses.

Thanks very much and God bless,
Pio Magnus

 

[Metanoia02]

We must die to ourselves daily, and pick up the Cross and follow Christ.

We must die to our human desires. If left unchecked our human desire will eventually lead us to sin, such as greed and gluttony. Corporal mortification helps us to detatch ourselves from those things we desire. As we experience the "suffering" of losing those things we unite ourselves with Christ. It is very Biblical.

 

[Irenaeus]

Paul said in 1st Corinthians he beat his body and made it a slave.

I am looking forward to Lent when I will have a little more strength because of the commonality of the season, to be able to do more in the way of corporeal penance.

 

[CountryMom]

...specifically CORPORAL MORTIFICATION.
...
Thanks very much and God bless,
Pio Magnus

Just wondering what CORPORAL MORTIFICATION is?

 

[Maggie893]

It is typically a mortification of the body. It is some sort of self-denial or infliction of pain to serve as a deterrant to sin and as an offering of suffering to the Lord for our sins and those of others.

Here is the new advent commentary: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10578b.htm

As for scriptural references:

Romans 8:
12: So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh --
13: for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.

Col 1
24: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Col 3:
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Gal 5:
24: And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

And for good measure
Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997): “By uniting ourselves with his [Christ’s] sacrifice we can make our lives a sacrifice to God” (n. 2100). “The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes” (n. 2015).

 

[Annabel Lee]

It is typically a mortification of the body. It is some sort of self-denial or infliction of pain to serve as a deterrant to sin and as an offering of suffering to the Lord for our sins and those of others.

Do some practicers of corporal mortification actually hurt or harm themselves?
That just doesn't sound right.

 

[Maggie893]

This encyclical, PAENITENTIAM AGERE http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_01071962_paenitentiam_en.html does a good job of explaining penance and mortification as stated during Vatican II. The key phrase in this is:
29. But the faithful must also be encouraged to do outward acts of penance, both to keep their bodies under the strict control of reason and faith, and to make amends for their own and other people's sins.

Many of the early saints brought themselves to points of grave injury and that is not approved behavior by the Church. It is not recommended to endure extreme mortifications.

Recognize though that fasting causes pain and this is an acceptable mortification as long as it does not become grave. St. Therese of Liseaux is the queen of the Little Way. She often stated how she could never handle the degree of mortification that the great Saints like St. Theresa of Avila performed but that she would offer little mortifications such as sitting upright in her chair without her back touching the chair. This caused pain which was a beautiful suffering that she could offer to Jesus joining in His sufferings for others.

 

[ThereseOfLisieux]

Do some practicers of corporal mortification actually hurt or harm themselves?
That just doesn't sound right.

One should not do physical harm to oneself. This is not the purpose, the purpose is sacrifice. There are many ways of sacrifice without harming oneself. Howeaver, I think that some do, this is not what the church promotes.