Do you do acts of mortification during Holy Week?
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
March 30, 2010 4:31pm CST
I am personally never for the traditional flagellation of penitents as way of cleansing during Holy Week. Yet many sinners believe that the only way they can cleanse their hearts is to undergo the same passion as Christ did. So I let them be. But I do my own mortification by depriving myself of things I like, such as eating too much and praying too little. So I am abstaining and fasting from food and am really sitting on that Good Friday four hour recollection in our chapel. No movie, too. I had been in the book of Psalms for the longest time now. So I'd read my Bible and hopefully get on to the next book. What acts of mortification do you do for yourself?
4 responses
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
1 Apr 10
Hi Eileen,
I also do the same as what you do. Cut on my regular activities and food intake. I give myself more time for reflection and prayers. this afternoon me and my family will be going to the church to do the station of the cross and then maybe do some walking instead of taking a ride.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Apr 10
Will walk to church later today, too. I would like to see the washing of the feet. Our new parish priest is an ardent man of God. He holds holy the rituals. Just curious if he will be faithful to the original in his reenactment. Then tomorrow we have community stations of the cross. And our devout priest will lead us all. If only you can see the huge papier mache he built inside our church, it 's covered half the altar. I asked my daughters what it was for. They said our priest will do the resurrection there. Sigh! 
I'll do my readings now and hopefully receive good insights. Keep safe! And holy!
I'll do my readings now and hopefully receive good insights. Keep safe! And holy!
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
30 Mar 10
Hi eileenleyva, I am not a Roman Catholic, but was raised an Anglican and we had much of the same traditions except for flagellation. We would fast and spent time in reflection and Bible reading, there would also be nightly services and a three hour church service on Good Friday. I have no problem with those who continue the tradition today but my personal beliefs have changed although I still read my Bible. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
30 Mar 10
Hi Pose, what changed? You don't attend services anymore? I keep Sunday holy but the other rituals that I used to join are not as inviting anymore. I am, like you, would prefer reading the great stories from the Great Book than joining processions. Sometimes though, I allow myself to be with the people just to feel that faith brings us together.
God bless you, too, and may He pour His love on you like never before.
God bless you, too, and may He pour His love on you like never before.
@fianne (1057)
• United States
30 Mar 10
hi eileen,
that's nice to know you'd been for a long time now reading the psalms. like you, i fast and do abstain, i keep on watching movies though but most are the passions of the Christ movies of different classics and the latest Mel Gibson's. also, movies like Moses and the like. I also go to church and spend some hour or two there praying. i abstain from Good Fiday starting 3pm and i resume eating at Easter Sunday breakfast. My family is doing the same. I love doing it.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
30 Mar 10
Even sacrifices feel easy when done with family, huh! I admire you and your family for that. 
Fasting at the hour of Great Mercy is an extreme sacrifice for me. Hunger makes my nerves unsteady. The blood sugar uncontrolled sends varied reactions to my system and I don't like it. But my daughters had learned to eat in moderation with me. Started reading the Bible from the very beginning (Genesis) January last year. I stay an hour at the Blessed Sacrament and read chapter by chapter each Sunday. I repeat the stories, especially the ones I got so fascinated about. So it has taken me that long. I am still on Psalm 60, I think, and that is not even half of the Bible. Here's to a quiet and holy week for you and your loved ones!
Fasting at the hour of Great Mercy is an extreme sacrifice for me. Hunger makes my nerves unsteady. The blood sugar uncontrolled sends varied reactions to my system and I don't like it. But my daughters had learned to eat in moderation with me. Started reading the Bible from the very beginning (Genesis) January last year. I stay an hour at the Blessed Sacrament and read chapter by chapter each Sunday. I repeat the stories, especially the ones I got so fascinated about. So it has taken me that long. I am still on Psalm 60, I think, and that is not even half of the Bible. Here's to a quiet and holy week for you and your loved ones!
@edxcast (1168)
• Ecuador
30 Mar 10
Flagellation mortification is not for everyone. This is something is needed to be discussed with a spiritual director(if you have). God does appreciate this is small sacrifices, because im sure for you some are big sacrifices. I try to do as well some small sacrifices(patience for example sometimes is hard for me). Have a nice Holy Week.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
30 Mar 10
Hi ed, patience is neither my virtue. But I am trying my very best to instill that evasive trait in my being. Thanks for reminding me God's appreciation for small sacrifices we offer Him, just like St. Therese of the Little Way... A peaceful Holy Week to you, too.
