Corporal Mortification, Like Flagellation, Didn't End in the Middle Ages

[MineralMan]

https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/self-mortification-must-be-moderate-monitored

Self-mortification must be moderate, monitored

VATICAN CITY -- Reacting to a report that Pope John Paul II practiced self-mortification, including flagellation, experts in spirituality said ascetical practices are part of the Christian tradition, but should be used in moderation and under the guidance of a mature spiritual director.

"Union with the redeeming suffering of Christ comes through accepting the trials and suffering of life or, like in the case of Pope John Paul II, with the voluntary choice of physical suffering," said Cardinal Georges Cottier, theologian of the papal household under the late pope.

"Spiritual masters insist this practice must always be prudent and never without a spiritual guide," because "pathological abuses are always possible," the cardinal said Feb. 4 in a written response to questions from Catholic News Service.

Cardinal Cottier said the practice of self-mortification did not conflict with what Pope John Paul wrote and preached about the beauty and sacredness of the human body and the obligation of Christians to care for their bodies.

Want more? Google Opus Dei Cilice. You'll see this Wikipedia page, along with others that show that people are still doing this crap, in the name of their deity:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cilice

Want a cilice of your very own to hurt yourself for your deity? Here's a place you can order a variety of them for your personal use. You'll also find helpful instructions at the bottom of the page.:

http://www.cilice.co.uk/