Mortification of the flesh
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Mortification of the flesh is an act by which an individual or group seeks to mortify or deaden their sinful nature, as a part of the process of sanctification.
A penitent flagellates himself with a discipline during the San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites
Fresco in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella showing Saint Dominic with a discipline in his hand, kneeling before a crucifixion scene
A confraternity of penitents in Italy mortifying the flesh with disciplines in a seven-hour procession; penitents wear capirote so that attention is not drawn toward themselves as they repent but rather to God.
Spugna
A discipline is a small scourge used as an instrument of penance by certain members of some Christian denominations in the spiritual discipline known as mortification of the flesh.
Mortification of the flesh
…Among votarists, traditional forms of physical mortification are chain cilices and hair-shirts. In some of its more severe forms, it can mean using a discipline to flagellate oneself and a spugna to beat oneself. Mortification of the flesh is undertaken by Christians in order to repent of sins and share in the…
A discipline with seven cords lying on top of the Raccolta, a Catholic prayer book containing several acts of reparation, and other devotions. Beside it are several sacramentals: a rosary, the Fivefold Scapular, a crucifix, and a phial of holy oil of Saint Philomena.