It achieves this through conforming one's passions to reason and faith. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, internal mortification, such as the struggle against pride and self-love, is essential, but external mortification, such as fasting can also be good if they conform with a spirit of internal mortification.

What are examples of mortification?

Mortification is the feeling of humiliation or wounded pride, or something that causes such feelings. An example of a mortification is having your pants split open while on a stage.

What are bodily mortifications?

Mortification of the flesh is an act by which an individual or group seeks to mortify, or put to death, their sinful nature, as a part of the process of sanctification. ... In Christianity, common forms of mortification that are practiced to this day include fasting, abstinence, as well as pious kneeling.