whipping as a penance

[Markh]

I have read that it used to be common in the middle ages for people to be whipped as a penance.

Monks would also whip themselves.

the do not see this happening today. What is the theological reason for this.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

I have read that it used to be common in the middle ages for people to be whipped as a penance.

Monks would also whip themselves.

the do not see this happening today. What is the theological reason for this.

:o

I dunno, but i am very curious myself.

 

[Kripost]

Flagellants? I thought the movement was condemned by the Church?

 

[Epiphanygirl]

I know that the cloistered Carmelite nuns did this when I was younger. I didn't know that it stopped.

 

[Paul S]

New Advent has an article on flagellation.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06092a.htm

Whipping has always been a method of discipline and punishment, and Our Lord himself went through His own scourging on Good Friday. Catholicism teaches merit in suffering, when united to the suffering of Christ, and so whipping is a way to connect oneself with Him.

As a private discipline, used appropriately, it's still okay with the Church, although you won't hear much about it today since physical punishment isn't something today's society likes - look at the debates on whether spanking children is appropriate.

 

[Adammi]

SS speaks of "smoting your breast".

 

[Paul S]

SS speaks of "smoting your breast".

This we still do at Mass, thrice during the Confiteor at mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa (ICELised to one "through my own fault") and on each Domine, non sum dignus (Lord, I am not worthy), one or three depending on the rite.

 

[Adammi]

This we still do at Mass, thrice during the Confiteor at mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa (ICELised to one "through my own fault") and on each Domine, non sum dignus (Lord, I am not worthy), one or three depending on the rite.

There is so much stuff that I still don't know.
Primarily the details of what to do at mass. I am praying for courage to tell my parents about my faith in, ohh, about 50 minutes (please pray). And I would love to go to mass Wednesday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, but I know that I will feel so out of place because I don't know what to do when.

 

[Dream]

There is so much stuff that I still don't know.
Primarily the details of what to do at mass. I am praying for courage to tell my parents about my faith in, ohh, about 50 minutes (please pray). And I would love to go to mass Wednesday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, but I know that I will feel so out of place because I don't know what to do when.

You'll be fine at Mass. A lot of people only go to church on Christmas and Easter, so you always see half the congregation confused about what to do during those Masses. As long as you attend as much as you can and follow what's going on, you'll be fine.

God bless and give you courage to speak with your parents.

 

[InnerPhyre]

Praying for you, bro. If you get the chance to go on Wed, definitely go! I think you'd really enjoy it. I just went to a Byzantine church yesterday and had NO clue what I was doing, but it was a great experience

 

[Dream]

Praying for you, bro. If you get the chance to go on Wed, definitely go! I think you'd really enjoy it. I just went to a Byzantine church yesterday and had NO clue what I was doing, but it was a great experience

Yea, how was that Byzantine service? I've never been to one before.

(Don't mean to hijack this thread)

 

[Jamme]

Why are you in a place called vertigo IP?

 

[InnerPhyre]

Yea, how was that Byzantine service? I've never been to one before.

(Don't mean to hijack this thread)

http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=10647121#post10647121

 

[InnerPhyre]

Why are you in a place called vertigo IP?

It's a line from the new U2 song that i like

 

[Markh]

Isn't the Catholic Encyclopedia as an authoritive document on Catholicism 100 years old- is what it says on this issue still valid?

Anyway, imagine the scandal in the press if a priest in a sermon encouraged people to whip themselves!

I imagine if someone was whipping themselves today as a punishment for their sins, the government would lock them away.

I think this is an interesting issue.

 

[faerieevaH]

I guess it depends on how far the whipping goes. It's like... people wearing an elastic band to get rid of a bad habit. Though it's not to everyone's liking, it's not really abuse. Cutting yourself however is self abuse. There is a line, but it's difficult to say where it lies. Perhaps in 'leaving marks'?
After all, our bodies are a temple, so we shouldn't do anything harmful to it...

 

[Markh]

That was the response I was initially expected people to give Eva, I had imagined the "body is our temple" line to be the Church line today.

But the same can go with fasts. you hear of saints who went on amazingly devout fasts which in todays standards would be considered mental disorders.

 

[Paul S]

You'll be fine at Mass. A lot of people only go to church on Christmas and Easter, so you always see half the congregation confused about what to do during those Masses. As long as you attend as much as you can and follow what's going on, you'll be fine.

God bless and give you courage to speak with your parents.

It gets even more interesting at my parish, since the evening Mass is the TLM, and it's obvious who's familiar with it and who isn't. At least they're at Mass, and that's the important thing.

ATShavuot, if you're worried about what to do, sit near the back and follow everyone else on when to stand, sit, and kneel.