Q: Does God take pleasure in our self-inflicted mortifications in order to offer them up with Jesus’ sufferings on the cross? I am reading the diary of St. Faustina and see that she offers up many mortifications. It troubles me to think that I am not as willing to do those things as she is. Is God calling us to seek more suffering or just to embrace the suffering sent to us? — Jorge

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: God doesn’t feel pleasure in our mortification, per se. Rather, he wants to see us grow in holiness, and the cross is a key instrument that helps us do just that. For we are called to contribute, like St. Paul, to “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24). St. Paul’s sufferings “are the vehicle for conveying the Passion to the hearts and souls of men, and in this way they bring completeness to the Passion in an external way,” says A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. We all have crosses to bear. Ideally, we should learn to accept them patiently and unite them to the cross of Christ. This can give them redemptive value. Catholics have traditionally been encouraged to do extra mortification, such as fasting and abstinence and the general sacrifices linked to Lent. Not everyone is called to practice extraordinary mortifications, however. Spiritual writers have commented that some saints who took on severe mortifications are more to be admired than imitated. Whenever someone wants to do extraordinary mortification, he should check with his confessor or spiritual director first. This is to avoid going overboard. For most people, the acceptance of daily sufferings and little mortifications (skipping dessert, etc.) can go a long way toward the growth in the spiritual life.