5 Ways Of Practicing Mortification Without Others Knowing

[Lil Red]

http://catholicphoenix.com/2010/09/08/five-ways-to-practice-mortification-without-outing-yourself-as-a-catholic/

Think of them as “mortamins”—the Catholic, spiritual version of vitamins. Take one and see if it helps you grow in your spiritual life.
[list=1][*][b]Wake like a hero.[/b] Get up the first time the alarm goes off. Don’t hit the snooze button, instead practice what members of Opus Dei call “the heroic moment.” Roll out of bed, kiss the floor, and say one word: serviam. That’s Latin for “I will serve.” It’s exactly the opposite of what Lucifer said before being cast into hell.
[*][b]Be on time.[/b] To everything. Here I open myself up to “tu quoque”s galore, but it is still good advice. Punctuality shows respect for others and yourself. It’s a perfect mortamin because it’s a small thing, but hard to do.
[*][b]Be cheerful even when you don’t feel like it.[/b] Every one you meet is engaged in a great struggle, not just you. S[i][/i]uck it up and be friendly. You might feel like an old shoe, but your attitude doesn’t need to smell like one. Smiles are free, they’re easy, and they go a long way towards boosting morale—maybe even your own.
[*][b]Order a smaller size drink.[/b] This is a ridiculously simple mortification, but a surprisingly hard one to do. For whatever reason, Americans feel entitled to jumbo-sized beverages—they don’t even have small drinks at McDonald’s anymore—but this is the perfect covert act of self-denial. If anyone notices, they’ll probably chalk it up to the economy.
[*][b]Eat fish on Friday.[/b] Admit it: you want to be a Catholic who eats fish on Friday—it’s so not cool, that it is cool. Besides, nobody will notice, I promise—there are too many trendy diets for people to keep track of. Call it the “purposefully alternating proteins and legumes” diet (the p.a.p.a.l. diet, wink, wink) and your co-workers will beg you for the details. Also, contrary to popular belief, Catholics have not been excused from the requirement to abstain from meat on Fridays—it’s just that now one is allowed to substitute another suitable act of mortification.[/list]

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

Tre awesome.

I really need to work on tackling that first one... once I have a bed again.

[OraProMe]

Number five is hilarious. P.A.P.A.L diet

[Lil Red]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' timestamp='1284052272' post='2170867']
Tre awesome.

I really need to work on tackling that first one... once I have a bed again.
[/quote]
i need to do it when the kids wake me up. instead of coaxing them to stay in bed, or getting up, getting them breakfast and laying down on the couch and falling asleep again.

[goldenchild17]

Awesome, especially one and five.

[dUSt]

Great post.

I'm an Opus Dei groupie.

[IcePrincessKRS]

I need to work on waking like a hero.

[Jesus_lol]

I want to be able to wake up like an action hero. tiny amount of noise, bolt upright in bed with gun in hand, fire off some shots and dive out the window before the bad guys finish opening the door.

[Caritas]

I love the beauty and simplicity in these small sacrifices. I need to work on several of those for sure. Thanks for posting!

[StMichael]

Wasn't aware I was practicing mortification by not eating meat on Friday's. I don't have fish as a replacement, but pasta. Something I have done for years as you are correct, we are to abstain from meat unless that is the only option available.

[TeresaBenedicta]

A saint once taught (and of course I can't remember who) that a Catholic ought never sit down to a meal without making [i]some[/i] sort of sacrifice. Whether it be saying 'no thanks' to dessert, having water instead of soda, or taking the veggie you least like.

[Gregorius]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1284049816' post='2170829']
http://catholicphoenix.com/2010/09/08/five-ways-to-practice-mortification-without-outing-yourself-as-a-catholic/

Think of them as “mortamins”—the Catholic, spiritual version of vitamins. Take one and see if it helps you grow in your spiritual life.
[list=1][*][b]Wake like a hero.[/b] Get up the first time the alarm goes off. Don’t hit the snooze button, instead practice what members of Opus Dei call “the heroic moment.” Roll out of bed, kiss the floor, and say one word: serviam. That’s Latin for “I will serve.” It’s exactly the opposite of what Lucifer said before being cast into hell.
[*][b]Be on time.[/b] To everything. Here I open myself up to “tu quoque”s galore, but it is still good advice. Punctuality shows respect for others and yourself. It’s a perfect mortamin because it’s a small thing, but hard to do.
[*][b]Be cheerful even when you don’t feel like it.[/b] Every one you meet is engaged in a great struggle, not just you. S[i][/i]uck it up and be friendly. You might feel like an old shoe, but your attitude doesn’t need to smell like one. Smiles are free, they’re easy, and they go a long way towards boosting morale—maybe even your own.
[*][b]Order a smaller size drink.[/b] This is a ridiculously simple mortification, but a surprisingly hard one to do. For whatever reason, Americans feel entitled to jumbo-sized beverages—they don’t even have small drinks at McDonald’s anymore—but this is the perfect covert act of self-denial. If anyone notices, they’ll probably chalk it up to the economy.
[*][b]Eat fish on Friday.[/b] Admit it: you want to be a Catholic who eats fish on Friday—it’s so not cool, that it is cool. Besides, nobody will notice, I promise—there are too many trendy diets for people to keep track of. Call it the “purposefully alternating proteins and legumes” diet (the p.a.p.a.l. diet, wink, wink) and your co-workers will beg you for the details. Also, contrary to popular belief, Catholics have not been excused from the requirement to abstain from meat on Fridays—it’s just that now one is allowed to substitute another suitable act of mortification.[/list]
[/quote]
I never knew we weren't excused from not eating meat on Fridays, or that we should practice mortification on that day.
Also, I have to set two alarms to get up on time in the morning and get to Mass. Though I do have a note next to my alarm clock that says "Praised be Jesus Christ" so my first thoughts go to God.
I am always mystified when people buy beverages when they are free water fountains nearby. I just fill a bottle up, with the exception of feast days.

I would also add to the list try taking a cold shower instead of a hot one (or a hot one instead of a cold one, depending on your preferences).

[Selah]

Wow, I love that list. Thanks!

[homeschoolmom]

A couple other "easy" ones:
Make the sandwich or bowl of cereal for your children who are plenty old enough to do it themselves.
Go to bed a half an hour before you are ready to (ie you fall asleep on the couch).

[Selah]

So many people have the idea that mortification involves putting yourself in physical pain. It can, but it doesn't have to be! I love these ideas :D