Mortification
“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” — St. Matt. 16:24.
FIFTH DAY.
He who makes little account of exterior mortifications, and says that interior mortifications are more perfect, shows clearly that he is mortified neither exteriorly nor interiorly. — St. Vincent de Paul.
This saint regarded his body as his greatest enemy. He treated it in a most austere manner, making use of haircloth, chains, and a leathern belt bound with iron. Every morning, upon rising, he took a sever discipline. He slept on the plainest bed; he always arose at the regular hour sixed for the community, although his many occupations and infirmities often prevented him from having more than two hours’ sleep during the night. When overcome with sleep during the day, he banished it by placing himself in some painful position. In the severity of winter, he scarcely ever warmed himself. In a word, he was most watchful to let no occasion pass by without mortifying himself. He might with another saint have said: “I kill my body, lest it kill my soul.”
Prayer.
I will look upon my body as a rebellious slave. I will chastise it every day, lest it rule over my soul and cause its eternal death.