Self Mortification

[Guest Fatima Kid Imitator]

recently, inspired by the children at fatima, i tried tying a rope tight around my waist. i find it has become a constant reminder to keep focused on God and a constant suffering to offer up. it is in fact one of the most rewarding penances i have ever come across. i was wondering however, to what extent may we sacrifice our physical health for the sake of our spiritual health. i mean, this thing has been making big marks on my stomach and hurting and it may or may not be swelling. i plan on taking it off for sundays only. but like, if it starts to bleed, have i gone too far? is there a set limitation, and if so does that mean that ppl like the Fatima kids were breaking that? seriously though, this is definitely helping me make reperation for my past sins and teach me obedience and keep me out of my spiritual sloth, i'm at the point that i don't really care if it hurts my physical health because i'd rather jump into a burning thornbush infested with deadly snakes than commit a sin against my Lord, and this penance is definitely keepin me from commiting grevious sin.

[Carson Weber]

Great question, and I wouldn't be the best individual to answer your question. The best would be your spiritual director. Only he could really be able to give you an accurate assessment because there are many factors that play in.

The fact that a particular form of penance is harmful to your health does not necessarily mean that it should be avoided or is improper; this is easily recognizable from a simple survey of the saints (e.g. St. Francis of Assisi & St. Catherine of Siena).

The question is whether the penance is suited to where you currently are in the spiritual life. For instance, some forms of penance will actually evoke the deadly sin of pride in Christians and other forms are not done out of love but out of some other reason, which takes the value of penance away altogether.