John Paul II and the 'discipline'.

Hidden acts of penance.

One of my very best friends in the whole world is a very holy priest.  He once asked a very holy prioress of a very holy Carmelite monastery if the community still used the discipline and if so, where may he obtain one?  Mother responded sweetly, "Oh Father, that is a rather indiscreet question."  As was her custom, she discreetly changed the subject and poor Father never got his answer.  Unfortunately he initially felt slighted, but we all feel slighted when someone surprises us with a direct answer and charitable rebuke.  I'm quite sure my friend laughs about it now.
.
I mention this as news of Holy Father John Paul II's use of the discipline has come to light this week - apparently testimony from a Polish nun who worked in the papal household has been leaked from the Causes of Saints investigation.  Talk about indiscreet.  It is especially unfortunate since contemporary society has little to no knowledge about the practice of corporal penance in the spiritual life, and have no understanding of such voluntary mortification.  (Perverted sexual practice and fetish aside of course - which poses the question, what will Theology of the Body hedonists make of this news?  I'm being sarcastic.)
.
People 'get' dieting or going through painful surgical procedures to lose weight or look better.  They understand the need for an athlete to go through continual repetition of arduous exercise and practice to perfect his game.  They understand that type of body-punishing sacrifice - but not a priest or a nun whipping one's self in a spirit of penance.
.
Since the Council, few religious orders continued using the discipline.  Perhaps on account of St. Therese and her Little Way, most religious superiors and spiritual directors would advise against such corporal penances - but the practice was never lost, as Pope John Paul's story reveals.  Nevertheless, it is a very private matter, isn't it.  That said, the revelation that a modern Pope, who endured so much suffering throughout his life, practiced such corporal penance can be a wonderful reminder for the Christian to return to the practice of voluntary mortification and penance in his every day life...    
.
Corporal penance in the lives of the saints.
.
While the Saints regarded interior penance (that is, denial of the will through the vow of obedience) greater than any kind of exterior penance, nonetheless instruments of penance have been used by the Saints throughout history, and were in widespread use in religious communities for centuries up until the 1960's. One type of exterior penance common in religious life was known as "The Discipline" (self-flagellation, using a whip, rod, or lash), which was used in Padre Pio's friary. Saint Pio was known to have continued this penance even when it was no longer required of him to do so. The Discipline was also commonly used in Saint Faustina's convent as well.
.
It should again be noted that these mortifications were always done within the context of a religious community (with permission from a superior), or under the direction of a spiritual director. We might also recall that the Saints were careful to do these penances in secret, and even went out of their way to hide such instruments from their own communities. To be considered an average religious, to them, was of far more value than to be highly regarded as an austere aesthetic. Any instance that would draw the praises of men was to be severely shunned. As the Lord reminded Saint Faustina that what pleases Him most, above exterior penances, even above fasting, is the denial of one's own will through obedience to superiors and the rules of the community (which cannot be fully practiced apart from religious vows). A humble and obedient soul before God wins the most graces. - Redemptive Suffering - The Science of the Saints
.
John Paul II on suffering:
.
"Christ did not conceal from his listeners the need for suffering. He said very clearly: "If any man would come after me... let him take up his cross daily, and before his disciples he placed demands of a moral nature that can only be fulfilled on condition that they should "deny themselves". The way that leads to the Kingdom of heaven is "hard and narrow", and Christ contrasts it to the "wide and easy" way that "leads to destruction." Christ does not explain in the abstract the reasons for suffering, but he states: "Follow me!". Come! Take part through your suffering in this work of saving the world, a salvation achieved through my suffering! Through my Cross. Gradually, as the individual takes up his cross, spiritually uniting himself to the Cross of Christ, the salvific meaning of suffering is revealed before him. ...It is then that man finds in his suffering interior peace and even spiritual joy." - Source
.
Art:  Flagelation of Christ, Ruiz - Source