In a world that constantly tells us to “treat ourselves” and seek comfort at all costs, the Catholic practice of mortification can seem counter-cultural, perhaps even frightening. Yet, for 2,000 years, the saints have taught that this virtue is the secret key to inner peace and profound intimacy with Jesus Christ.
But what exactly is it? Is it simply physical punishment, or is there a deeper spiritual reality?
What is Catholic Mortification?
In the Catholic tradition, mortification is the deliberate practice of denying oneself legitimate pleasures to discipline the will, subdue sinful impulses, and unite one’s sufferings with the Passion of Christ. Derived from the Latin mortificare (“to put to death”), it is not an act of self-hatred, but a spiritual training method to “put to death” the deeds of the flesh so that the life of the Spirit may grow.
The Theology of Mortification: Why We Do It
To the modern mind, voluntary deprivation makes no sense. However, the theology of mortification is rooted in love and spiritual freedom. It is based on three core realities of the Christian life:
1. The Consequences of Original Sin
Because of the Fall, our human nature is wounded. We suffer from concupiscence—a disordered desire where our passions (anger, lust, gluttony) try to rule over our reason. St. Paul describes this battle clearly: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). Mortification is the discipline that tames these passions, allowing the soul to be restored as the master of the body.
2. Training for Holiness
St. Paul compares the spiritual life to an athletic contest. “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one” (1 Cor 9:25). Just as a runner denies himself junk food to win a race, a Catholic denies himself small comforts to strengthen his will against temptation. If we cannot say “no” to a cookie, how will we say “no” to a mortal sin?
3. Union with Christ
This is the highest motive. Jesus saved us through suffering. By voluntarily taking on small sacrifices, we participate in His redemptive work. We “take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23) and offer our small discomforts as a prayer for the conversion of sinners and the relief of souls in Purgatory.
Internal vs. External Mortification
It is helpful to distinguish between the two types of mortification. While the saints practiced both, the Church teaches that internal mortification is often more difficult and more meritorious because it attacks our pride directly.
External Mortification (The Body)
This involves the senses and physical appetites. It includes fasting, waking up early, enduring cold or heat without complaint, and limiting physical comforts. While valuable, these must always be done with prudence and without damaging one’s health.
Internal Mortification (The Spirit)
This involves the memory, the imagination, and the will. It is the “dying to self” in our interactions with others. St. Francis de Sales famously taught that it is better to eat what is set before you without complaint (internal mortification) than to insist on a visible fast that makes you proud (external mortification).
20 Simple Ways to Practice Mortification in Daily Life
St. Thérèse of Lisieux taught that we do not need to perform great feats of severe penance to become holy. Instead, we can offer small, hidden sacrifices with great love. Here are 20 practical ways to incorporate the “Little Way” of mortification into your modern daily routine.
Mortification of the Body & Senses
- The Heroic Minute: When your alarm goes off, get out of bed immediately. Do not hit snooze. Offer this first struggle of the day to God.
- Skip the Condiments: Eat your meal without adding salt, pepper, ketchup, or that extra sauce you enjoy.
- Drink Only Water: For one meal (or one day), choose water instead of soda, coffee, or alcohol.
- Limit Screen Time: Leave your phone in another room during dinner or for the first hour after you wake up.
- The Cold Water Finish: End your shower with 30 seconds of cold water. Offer the shock as a prayer for those suffering in purgatory.
- Avoid Leaning: When sitting in a chair or pew, sit up straight without using the backrest for a set period of time.
- Park Far Away: Choose the parking spot furthest from the door at the grocery store or work, regardless of the weather.
- Fast from Snacking: Stick to three square meals a day and offer up the hunger pangs between meals.
Mortification of the Will & Spirit
- Bite Your Tongue: When you have a witty, sarcastic, or critical comment ready, hold it back. Silence is a powerful mortification. (James 3:2)
- Do the Worst Chore First: Tackle the task you dislike the most (dishes, laundry, emails) at the very start of your day.
- Don’t Interrupt: Let others finish their sentences completely, even if you know what they are going to say.
- Smile When Annoyed: If you are feeling grumpy or someone is irritating you, force yourself to smile and speak gently.
- Accept Correction: If someone corrects you—even if they do it imperfectly—fight the urge to defend yourself or make an excuse. Just say “thank you.”
- Stop Complaining: Go an entire day without vocalizing a single complaint about the weather, traffic, or your workload.
- Let Others Choose: Let your spouse or friend choose the movie, the restaurant, or the music in the car.
- Pray for Someone You Dislike: Spend a moment praying specifically for the good of someone who annoys you or has hurt you.
- Refrain from “Checking”: Resist the urge to check your text messages, email, or social media notifications every time you feel bored.
- Listen When You Don’t Want To: Give your full attention to someone who is telling a story you’ve heard before or find uninteresting.
- Admit You Were Wrong: Apologize quickly and without qualification when you make a mistake.
- Give the Best Portion Away: If there is a piece of cake or a seat on the bus that is slightly better, leave it for someone else.
Wisdom from the Saints on Mortification
Catholic saints have long been admired and celebrated for their remarkable lives of holiness and virtue. Throughout history, many saints have emphasized the importance of mortification in growing closer to God and striving for spiritual perfection. Mortification was seen as a way to detach from worldly desires and passions by disciplining the body, mind, and heart to conform more fully to Christ.
- St. Francis, known for his radical poverty and self-denial, embraced a life of extreme asceticism as a means of imitating Christ’s poverty and self-sacrificing love for humanity. His practices included fasting, sleep deprivation, and wearing a coarse habit as a constant reminder of his commitment to simplicity and detachment from material things.
- St. Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church, emphasized the practice of mortification in her spiritual teachings. She understood that by disciplining the senses and the emotions, one could create space for a deeper union with God. Saint Teresa believed that mortification was necessary to overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Through her own experiences, she witnessed how mortification could lead to a greater capacity for prayer, contemplation, and intimacy with God.
- St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, dedicated himself to prayer, penance, and self-discipline, spending long hours in the confessional and fasting rigorously. His life of self-denial was seen as a testament to his love for God and his willingness to sacrifice for the salvation of souls. Saint John Vianney recognized that mortification played a vital role in his spiritual growth and that of his parishioners
Beyond just the example they gave, many of the Saints spoke about the value of consistently exercising this virtue in daily life. Here are just a few quotes from the Saints on mortification.
- St. John of the Cross: “Strive always to prefer, not that which is easiest, but that which is most difficult… not that which is most pleasant, but that which is most unpleasant… in order to strip your heart of all things for Christ.”
- St. Josemaría Escrivá: “The day you don’t practice mortification is a day lost, because you have not lived as a son of God, you have not lived as a Christian.”
- St. Jacinta of Fatima: After seeing a vision of hell, this young child constantly gave up her lunch to the poor or refused to drink water in the heat, saying, “I do this for the conversion of sinners.”
Forging a Disposition of Love
We read in The True Spouse of Jesus Christ, by Saint Alphonsus Liguori: “St. Francis Borgia says that prayer introduces the love of God into the soul, but mortification prepares a place for it by banishing from the heart earthly affections – the most powerful obstacles to charity.”
As our hearts become filled with the love of God, we can then extend His selfless love to others by seeking their well-being above our own. Rather than focusing on ourselves and what we want, we choose to serve and support our neighbors, especially when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.
Practicing the virtue of Mortification can also soften our hearts toward those who suffer. By embracing suffering and sacrifice, we gain a greater understanding of the pain and challenges that others face. This allows us to approach their struggles with greater empathy, compassion, and a desire to alleviate their burdens.
In this way, mortification becomes an act of love that extends beyond ourselves and into the world. It helps us to cultivate other virtues, such as humility and generosity. It becomes a powerful means of drawing others to Christ and helping them to see the value of their sufferings.
Conclusion
Mortification is not about gloom or sadness; it’s about love. It is the language of love that says, “Lord, I love You more than this comfort, more than this flavor, and more than my own opinion.” By incorporating these small acts of self-denial into our daily life, we prepare our hearts for the ultimate life—eternal union with God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catholic Mortification
1. Is mortification the same thing as self-harm?
No. Catholic mortification is strictly distinguished from self-harm. Self-harm is destructive and stems from self-hatred or despair. Mortification is constructive and stems from love of God. It is a spiritual discipline—like an athlete training their body—intended to strengthen the will. The Church teaches that we must treat our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit; therefore, any penance that damages one’s health is discouraged and should not be done without the permission of a spiritual director.
2. Why do Catholics practice mortification?
Catholics practice mortification for three main reasons: to do penance for past sins, to “tame” the passions (such as lust, anger, or gluttony) so that the spirit can rule over the flesh, and to grow in likeness to Jesus Christ, who suffered for our salvation. By denying ourselves small, lawful pleasures, we strengthen our ability to say “no” to sin when temptation arises.
3. What are examples of interior mortification?
Interior mortification refers to the discipline of the mind, will, and emotions. Examples include swallowing your pride when corrected, holding back a sarcastic comment, resisting the urge to complain about the weather or traffic, and forgiving someone who has annoyed you. St. Josemaría Escrivá famously called these hidden sacrifices the “apostolate of not giving one’s opinion.”
4. Can I practice mortification during the workday?
Yes, and many saints recommend it. You can practice “professional mortification” by focusing intensely on your work without distraction, finishing tasks you dislike first, keeping your desk orderly, or smiling at a difficult coworker. These small acts of self-denial turn your daily labor into a prayerful offering to God.
5. How is mortification different from fasting?
Fasting is a specific type of mortification that deals with food and drink. Mortification is the broader umbrella term that covers all forms of self-denial. While fasting is restricted to food, mortification can apply to anything: sleep, comfort, entertainment, speech, or curiosity. For example, not checking your phone every time it buzzes is a form of mortification, but it is not fasting.
6. Is Penance the same as Mortification?
While both penance and mortification involve self-denial and sacrifice, they are not entirely the same. Penance is primarily focused on expressing sorrow for sin. It often involves specific actions or prayers prescribed by a confessor as part of the sacrament of reconciliation. It is usually carried out to make amends for sins committed and to receive God’s forgiveness. Common penitential acts include saying prayers, performing acts of charity, or participating in pilgrimages. These acts of penance typically have a temporary nature and are tied to specific sins or offenses.
On the other hand, mortification can be undertaken as a means of disciplining the body and mind to resist temptations so that one does not fall into sin. It acknowledges the fallen nature of humanity and is aimed at purifying the soul to restore the life of virtue that God originally intended for us. It recognizes that self-denial and discipline are necessary for spiritual growth and true transformation.
