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Opus Dei

SELF-PUNISHMENT ADVOCATED FOR SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT

The best-selling novel "The Da Vinci Code" pays hostile attention to the zealously conservative Roman Catholic order Opus Dei and its use of "corporal mortification" -- voluntarily punishing one's own body as a spiritual discipline.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C.52172%2C00.html

Dei Opus

I say that if someone wants to punish them self for the purpose of spiritual discipline, be my guest. What effects the body does not necessarily effect the spirit. One can punish his body but not change internally, and the self inflicted mortification has done absolutely nothing. Of course, one could simply ask for forgiveness and then pray to God for assistance in living a life closer to Christ. But the Catholic church always has a tendency to go over board and make everything a show. Its the battle of the alter egos. People are constantly doing things to make themselves look holier than the next person.

Opus Dei Catholicism Studies

This was highlighted in the movie the Da vinci Code. In my years of Catholicism I never did understand the need for the brutal approach as opposed to 'soft touch'? Could it be that because Christ suffered that everyone has to suffer? I think that the suffering was in the end of His mission and not throughout and with purpose, our suffering must be with kind acts, taking time to sacrifice in service to others rather than mutilating our body. In my opinion.

Dei Opus

Honestly, having been a member and had my brothers as members of Opus Dei here in Trinidad, I would be wary of believing anything presented in Dan Brown's novel as "truth". That is another topic, though.

The plain fact is, I have never seen evidence of any practice of "corporal mortification" in the form of self-mutilation, mentioned within the Opus Dei groups.

I do have a question though... when a person fasts, it is a form of "corporal mortification" - mortification of the appetite. People do this as a sacrifice, to show that their love for God outweighs their love of food, or their bodily hunger.

In fact, it is one way of achieving self-discipline, which is important in order to lead a moral lifestyle. If a person trains themself in saying "no" to simpler wants, for example - no chocolate for 40 days... I should think they'd find themselves a little stronger in the face of heavier temptations.

Is something really wrong with that?

Dei Opus

Member: Opus Dei Focused On Religion Not Politics
Religious Based News

Rick Santorum's ties to the Catholic group Opus Dei have been recently highlighted in news reports. Guest host Jacki Lyden continues the conversation about Opus Dei with long-time member, John Coverdale. They discuss the role of religion in politics and address claims that the group promotes a conservative political agenda.
Source: Religion