Moment With Betty

Mortification in simple terms is the action of subduing one’s bodily desires. But according to The Roman Catholic Church, mortification of the flesh literally means “putting the flesh to death” as a worthy spiritual discipline and according to The Catholic Encyclopedia, the purpose of mortification is to train “the soul to virtuous and holy living” 

The term Mortification, originated with St. Paul, who traces an instructive analogy between Christ dying to a mortal and rising to an immortal life and His followers who renounce their past life of sin and rise through grace to a new life of holiness. “If you live after the flesh” says the apostle, “you shall die, but if through the spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live” (Romans 8:13; cf. also Colossians 3:5, and Galatians 5:24). 

From this original use of the term, we see that mortification, though under one aspect, is a law of death, under another and more fundamental aspect it is a law of life and does not destroy but elevates nature. What it slays is the disease of the soul, and by slaying this it restores and invigorates the soul’s true life.

Mortification can also be seen as a virtue particularly, with respect to St. Vincent de Paul. Historians say that the virtue of St. Vincent de Paul called “mortification” might be better understood as something akin to self-discipline or even sacrifice. In other words, mortification means giving up something we value for the sake of something more valuable, that is, securing a place for ourselves in heaven.

 Mortification is also viewed as a means of curing bad habits and implanting good ones. In furtherance to that, is what is called mortification of the flesh, which is an act by which an individual or group seeks to mortify, or put to death, their sinful nature, as a part of the process of sanctification. Mortification of the flesh is undertaken in order to repent for sins and share in 

the Passion of Jesus. We are all called to embark on this process whenever we feel that we have fallen short of God’s goodness.

Mortification by its earnestness in self-discipline and the Christian motive which inspires it, can plead so powerfully with God and further contribute to increase its spiritual efficacy. It is practiced likewise as an expiation for past sins and shortcomings, for it is the belief of the Catholic Church that, although only the Atonement of Christ can offer adequate expiation for the sins of men, men ought not to make that an excuse for doing nothing themselves but should rather take it as an incentive to add their own punishments to the extent of their power and should regard such personal punishments as very pleasing to God. 

This explains why many of the mortifications practiced by devout persons are not directly curative of evil tendencies but take the form of painful exercise and self-inflicted miseries because they are painful for example, fasting, sleeping on hard beds, abstention from lawful pleasures, etc. It is not that these external mortifications are of themselves not good but spiritual writers believe that the internal mortification of pride and self-love in their various forms are essential and that these external penances are good only so far as they spring from the internal spirit.