Catholic Church Practices and Masochism - The Cilice and the Discipline (Whip) are rooted within the Catholic Church, among saints who used physical mortification to deepen their spiritual lives. Glenn Greenwald Sex Tape Release.

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The Cilice and the Discipline: Historical Context 

Opus Dei's use of corporal mortification practices, such as the cilice and the discipline, is rooted in longstanding Catholic traditions rather than being directly inherited from the Jesuits.

Cilice

A cilice is a small metal chain with inward-pointing spikes worn around the upper thigh. It causes discomfort but typically does not lead to bleeding. Historically, cilices were made from coarse cloth or animal hair and were used as a form of penance in various Christian traditions. Notable figures such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Jesuits), and St. Thomas More practiced similar forms of mortification.

Discipline

Discipline refers to a small whip or scourge used for self-flagellation, symbolizing participation in the sufferings of Christ. The practice was common among various religious orders and saints, including those in the Jesuit tradition.  

Opus Dei's Adoption of These Practices 

Founded in 1928 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Opus Dei incorporated these traditional practices to encourage personal holiness and self-discipline among its members. While the Jesuits and other orders practiced similar forms of mortification, Opus Dei's use is part of a broader Catholic heritage rather than a direct adoption from the Jesuits. Escrivá emphasized that such practices were voluntary and aimed at spiritual growth.

While both Opus Dei and the Jesuits have engaged in corporal mortification practices, these traditions stem from a shared Catholic history of penance and self-discipline. Opus Dei's practices are not directly inherited from the Jesuits but are part of a wider spiritual framework embraced by various religious figures and orders throughout the centuries. 

Origins of Corporal Mortification in Christianity

The use of corporal mortification (like the cilice and discipline/whip) in Catholicism is part of a centuries-old tradition of penance and spiritual discipline. Here's a clear breakdown of the history, development, and current status of these practices:  

Biblical Foundations 

• Early Christians interpreted scriptures like Romans 8:13 (“put to death the deeds of the body”) and 1 Corinthians 9:27 (“I discipline my body and keep it under control”) as calls to deny bodily comforts to grow spiritually. 

• Jesus’s own suffering and crucifixion became a model for many mystics who sought to “share in the suffering of Christ.” 

Development Through the Centuries

Early Church (1st–5th Centuries)

During the early centuries of Christianity, hermits and desert fathers such as St. Anthony the Great embraced severe ascetic practices. These included intense fasting, prolonged isolation, and deliberate sleeplessness. Their goal was to mortify the flesh and concentrate entirely on communion with God.

Medieval Era (6th–15th Centuries)

In the medieval period, mortification of the flesh became more structured within monastic communities. Saints like St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Catherine of Siena employed physical suffering—such as fasting, wearing hairshirts, and self-flagellation—as a form of penance and a means to achieve spiritual union with God.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, groups known as the Flagellants emerged. These lay people would publicly whip themselves in acts of atonement for sin, particularly during times of crisis such as the Black Death.

Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits (16th Century)

St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order, also practiced physical mortification, including self-flagellation. In his Spiritual Exercises, he emphasized bodily discipline as a way to cultivate humility and obedience. However, the Jesuits eventually placed greater emphasis on intellectual and spiritual discipline rather than extreme physical practices.

Opus Dei and Modern Usage (20th Century)

In the 20th century, St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei in 1928, revived certain practices of mortification among laypeople. These included the use of the cilice, a small spiked chain worn around the thigh for one to two hours a day, and the discipline, a small whip used once a week. Escrivá insisted that such acts were private, voluntary, and not meant for everyone. Their purpose was to cultivate humility and a deeper solidarity with the suffering of Christ.

Still Practiced Today?

Yes, but only by some. A limited number of Opus Dei members—particularly celibate numeraries and supernumeraries—still practice physical mortification, and always under the supervision of spiritual directors. These practices are not expected of the broader Catholic faithful. Most contemporary Catholic clergy discourage extreme forms of mortification, advocating instead for spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and acts of service.

Modern Catholic Church Position 

The Church permits mild mortification, such as fasting or wearing a hairshirt, as long as it is safe, supervised, and done in humility, not pride or self-harm. 

Deliberate harm or obsessive mortification is condemned. 

Pope Francis and recent popes emphasize inner conversion, mercy, and social justice over physical penance.

Overview Table: Development and Usage

Aspect	Description
Origin	Early Christian asceticism, rooted in Scripture
Medieval Practice	Monks, saints, and lay movements used mortification
Jesuits	Practiced some mortification, emphasized discipline
Opus Dei	Revived physical mortification in modern times
Today	Still used in limited contexts (e.g., Opus Dei)
Church Stance	Permitted in moderation; discouraged if extreme

Mortification Across Religions

1. Christianity (Catholicism, Orthodox, Some Protestants)

• Practices: Fasting, celibacy, hairshirts, cilice, self-flagellation, barefoot pilgrimage
• Traditions: Catholic mystics, saints, monks, Opus Dei, Orthodox monasticism
• Goal: Share in Christ’s suffering, develop humility, atone for sin

2. Hinduism

• Practices: Tapasya (austerity) includes intense fasting, silence, prolonged standing, and extreme yoga poses. Some sects use spikes, hot coals, or carry burdens during festivals like Thaipusam.
• Traditions: Sadhus, yogis, Shaivite ascetics
• Goal: Burn karma, conquer desire, realize the divine within

3. Buddhism

• Practices: Early monks embraced severe fasting and self-denial, but the Buddha later rejected such extremes in favor of the Middle Way. Vassa retreat involves additional discipline.
• Goal: Detachment from desire and enlightenment

4. Judaism

• Practices: Fasting on days like Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av; traditional mourning involves physical discomfort.
• Mysticism: Some medieval Kabbalists practiced mortification, but it's rare today.
• Goal: Teshuvah (repentance), spiritual renewal, humility before God

5. Islam

• Practices: Ramadan fasting (no food or drink from dawn to dusk). Some Shi’a Muslims self-flagellate during Ashura (discouraged by many scholars).
• Goal: Submission to Allah, remembrance of sacrifice, purification

6. Indigenous & Tribal Religions

• Practices: Ritual scarring, piercing, tattooing; vision quests involving isolation and deprivation
• Goal: Spiritual maturity, communion with spirits, transformation

Comparative Summary

Religion	Examples of Practices	Purpose
Catholicism	Fasting, cilice, flagellation	Atonement, humility, imitation of Christ
Hinduism	Fasting, piercing, extreme postures	Karma purification, devotion
Buddhism	Austerities, fasting	Detachment, enlightenment
Judaism	Fasting, mourning discomfort	Repentance, spiritual focus
Islam	Ramadan fasting, Ashura rituals	Submission to God, remembrance
Indigenous	Piercing, isolation, deprivation	Vision, transformation, maturity

What Is a Hair Shirt?

Definition

A hair shirt (or cilice in its earlier form) is a garment made from coarse animal hair like goat or horsehair. Worn directly against the skin, it causes constant discomfort without causing injury.

Purpose

• To discipline the body (mortification)
• To foster humility and penitence
• To imitate the sufferings of Christ
• To detach from bodily comfort and enhance spiritual focus

Historical Use in Christianity

Early Christianity

Inspired by John the Baptist’s rough clothing, early hermits and monks used hair shirts to practice penance and austerity.

Middle Ages

Saints such as St. Thomas Becket, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Catherine of Siena wore hair shirts secretly under their garments as acts of hidden penance.

Religious Orders

Monastic orders like the Benedictines and Franciscans used hair shirts and related practices. Jesuits adopted variations (cilices, whips) with a more spiritual focus.

Related Devices

Item	Description	Use
Hair Shirt	Coarse garment (camel or goat hair)	Worn under clothing for humility and penance
Cilice (modern)	Chain with inward-facing spikes	Worn on the thigh for 1–2 hours (Opus Dei)
Discipline	Cord or small whip	Used for symbolic or real self-flagellation
Hair Belt	Band of animal hair around the waist	Localized form of the hair shirt

Modern Usage and Spiritual Concerns

Still Practiced (Rarely)

Some traditionalist Catholics and Opus Dei members continue to use hair shirts or cilices, especially during Lent or special devotions. Some Orthodox monastics may also engage in such practices.

No Longer Mainstream

Most of the Catholic Church discourages physical mortification. Spiritual guidance today emphasizes:

• Prayer
• Fasting
• Charity
• Emotional self-discipline

Spiritual Meaning vs. Misuse

Spiritual Purpose

• To cultivate humility and love for God
• To symbolically share in Christ's passion
• To discipline the body for spiritual growth

Risks of Misuse

• May lead to spiritual pride
• Can become harmful if not properly guided
• Church warns against excessive or unsupervised use

Quick Reference Summary

Tool	Purpose	Common Today?
Hair Shirt	Penitence, humility	Rare
Cilice	Mortification of the flesh	Some in Opus Dei
Discipline	Symbolic suffering, penance	Rare

What Was Used for Self-Flagellation? 

St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), practiced and promoted self-flagellation as a form of spiritual discipline and penance—especially during his early years of conversion. Here's a breakdown of what was used, how often it was done, and whether other Jesuits practiced it as well: 

• Scourges or whips: Often made of knotted cords, leather straps, or small chains. 

• Some penitents used disciplines (a specific type of whip for spiritual mortification). 

• In extreme cases, some used whips with small metal or bone tips, though this was more common in certain medieval practices than in Jesuit usage. 

 How Often Was Self-Flagellation Practiced?

St. Ignatius of Loyola practiced self-flagellation frequently in his early years of spiritual conversion, especially during his retreat at Manresa from 1522 to 1523. For him, suffering was a way to imitate Christ and purify the soul. Although this practice was never formally required by the Jesuit order after its foundation in 1540, it was present among early members.

In the 16th century, early Jesuits often practiced self-flagellation privately, typically on Fridays to commemorate Christ’s Passion or during the season of Lent. Figures like Francis Xavier also engaged in severe penances, though they typically did so quietly and privately. Over time, the frequency of this practice diminished as the Jesuit order matured and began to emphasize intellectual rigor, missionary work, and spiritual exercises over physical mortification.

Flagellation remained a voluntary act rather than a requirement. As the Jesuits increasingly prioritized education, global missions, and discernment, they encouraged moderation and discretion in the practice of mortification.

Context in Jesuit Spirituality

The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius include meditations on sin, suffering, and the Passion of Christ, but they do not require or mandate physical mortification. Jesuit spirituality has always placed a strong emphasis on interior discipline—especially the alignment of one’s will with God’s—over external penance.

As the order expanded its influence in education, diplomacy, and missions, its leadership discouraged excessive self-punishment. Interior transformation became the primary goal, and discretion in external practices was emphasized.

Instruments Used for Self-Flagellation

The discipline, also known as a flagrum, was a short whip with multiple cords or thongs. It was often made from leather, rope, or knotted cords. Some versions included knots, small metal beads, or sharp tips to increase the pain of each strike.

Simple cords or ropes were also used, sometimes tied in knots to create impact. In certain cases, they were soaked in saltwater before use to intensify the sting and slow healing, a traditional method in ascetic circles.

Although rare, some penitents used light metal chains instead of rope. These chains could leave bruises or cuts and were typically used by those engaging in more extreme acts of penance.

Hairshirts, though not used for flagellation, were another related form of mortification. Made from rough animal hair or coarse fabrics like goat hair, they were worn under clothing to create constant irritation, symbolizing humility and penance.

Use Among Jesuits

Self-flagellation was not officially required within the Society of Jesus, but some members did voluntarily practice it. Typically, it was performed privately—in one’s room or during solitary prayer—especially on Fridays or during Lent. Some Jesuits also undertook this discipline before receiving the Eucharist as a form of preparation and penance.

Spiritual Reason for Mortification

For Jesuits and other Catholic ascetics, self-flagellation was seen as a way to imitate Christ’s suffering. It was also a method of disciplining the body, purging sin, resisting temptation, and expressing deep humility. The practice was rooted in the spiritual idea of mortification.

The word mortification comes from the Latin mortificare, meaning “to put to death.” In Christian spirituality, particularly within Catholic traditions like the Jesuits, it refers to subduing or disciplining the body, the will, or sinful inclinations in pursuit of holiness.

Forms of Mortification

Physical mortification includes bodily acts that cause discomfort or pain as a way of disciplining the self. Examples of such acts include fasting, self-flagellation, wearing a hairshirt, sleeping on hard surfaces, or deliberately enduring physical discomfort, such as taking cold showers.

Interior or spiritual mortification is considered the more important form in Jesuit spirituality. This type involves denying one’s ego, pride, or selfish desires. It includes practicing humility, obedience, and detachment from personal preferences. The goal is to train the will to be more fully aligned with the will of God. This is central to the method of Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises.

Key Purpose of Mortification

Mortification is not about self-harm for its own sake. Its purpose is spiritual purification and detachment from worldly desires or sinful inclinations. Through it, one aims to grow in virtue, develop discipline, and deepen union with God.

Jesuit View on Mortification

St. Ignatius of Loyola practiced severe mortifications early in his spiritual life. However, he and his successors eventually emphasized moderation. They viewed interior mortification—transforming the heart and mind—as superior to external forms. Physical mortifications were seen as acceptable only when done discreetly, safely, and under the guidance of a spiritual director.

Modern Example: Opus Dei

Opus Dei, a Catholic institution founded in 1928 by St. Josemaría Escrivá, promotes the sanctification of daily life. Some of its members, particularly celibate numeraries and associates, voluntarily practice corporal mortification. These disciplines are seen as spiritual tools for developing humility, penance, and a deeper relationship with Christ.

Cilice: The Thigh-Worn Device

A cilice is a small, lightweight metal chain embedded with inward-facing spikes, worn tightly around the upper thigh. Its primary purpose is to serve as a physical reminder of Christ’s suffering and to foster spiritual discipline and humility. The discomfort it causes is not intended to harm the body but rather to aid in inner transformation through voluntary self-denial.

How Is the Cilice Used?

The cilice is typically worn for about two hours each day. It is not worn on Sundays or certain feast days out of respect for the liturgical calendar. Designed to avoid injury or bleeding, the cilice causes discomfort rather than physical damage. Worn discreetly under clothing, it allows practitioners—primarily celibate numeraries of Opus Dei—to go about their daily routines while integrating this form of penance into ordinary life.

Discipline: The Whip Used for Penance

The discipline is a small scourge or whip made of knotted cords, used in the practice of mortification of the flesh. Traditionally, it has served as a tool for penance, reminding the user of Christ’s Passion and encouraging spiritual focus and humility.

How Is the Discipline Used?

In contemporary practice, particularly within Opus Dei, the discipline is used once a week during private prayer. The act lasts for a minute or two and is carried out in solitude, as a deeply personal and meditative gesture. The discipline itself is constructed from woven cotton string and is very lightweight, weighing less than two ounces.

Purpose and Spiritual Context

Both the cilice and the discipline are rooted in a long-standing tradition within the Catholic Church, especially among saints and ascetics who used physical mortification to deepen their spiritual lives. In Opus Dei, these practices are voluntary and not required of all members. They are typically undertaken by celibate numeraries and only with proper spiritual guidance.

The goal is not self-punishment for its own sake, but rather spiritual growth. Through these disciplines, members aim to grow in humility, resist self-centeredness, and unite their personal sacrifices with the sufferings of Christ. These practices are understood as part of a broader call to sanctify ordinary life through intentional acts of love, sacrifice, and self-control.