What is it called when nuns whip themselves?

The act of nuns or other religious devotees whipping themselves is known by several names, but is most commonly referred to as “mortification of the flesh”. This practice has been carried out by various Catholic orders and other religious sects throughout history as an extreme method of bodily penance and attaining spiritual purity.

In the Catholic tradition, mortification of the flesh is done in emulation of the sufferings of Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. It is seen as a way to share in Christ’s pain and sacrifice in order to grow closer to God. The nunsbelieve that by inflicting physical suffering upon themselves, they can atone for sins and avoid punishment in the afterlife.

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Other Names for Self-Flagellation

While “mortification of the flesh” is the most widely used term, self-whipping or self-flagellation by nuns and religious orders has also been referred to by other names, including:

Corporal mortification
Discipline
Penitential scourging

Self-castigation
Cilice

“Corporal mortification” emphasizes the corporeal or bodily nature of the acts. “Discipline” and “penitential scourging” refers to it as a form of strict self-punishment and penance for sins. “Self-castigation” highlights the self-inflicted nature of the whipping.

“Cilice” is a specific type of undergarment made of coarse animal hair or with small spiked wires that is worn to cause discomfort and pain. This is another common method used along with ritual whipping.

History of Mortification of the Flesh

Self-flagellation as a form of asceticism has been practiced for thousands of years, but became especially prominent in medieval Christian monastic orders.

Some of the key historical periods and groups include:

Early Christian Ascetics – Even before medieval times, some extreme early Christian ascetics like St. Anthony whipping themselves to resist temptation and purify themselves.
10th – 12th Centuries – Self-flagellation emerges as a popular ritual among groups of lay Catholics who form militaristic brotherhoods that travel and perform public displays of penance.
13th Century – Flagellant sects arise in response to natural disasters and social upheaval, believing public ritual penance could help appease God.

14th Century – The Black Death plague leads to outbreaks of religious flagellant processions hoping to avert disease.
Opus Dei and Other Orders – Modern groups like Opus Dei, the Dominicans, Benedictines, and Trappists practice milder forms of self-discipline and mortification.

So the ritual became prominent during the Middle Ages, but had precedents going back even earlier in Christian history. It has continued to the present day in some ultra-orthodox Catholic groups.

Practices and Methods

Over the centuries, Catholic flagellants and others practicing mortification of the flesh have used various tools and methods, including:

Whips – Leather whips, often applied to the back.
Rods – Wooden rods similar to switches.

Disciplines – Multi-tail whips made of knotted cords or leather.
Scourges – Implements with multiple thongs, sometimes with knots or wire tips.
Chains – Heavy chains applied to cause discomfort.

Cilices – Spiked metal belts or band worn around the thigh.
Hairshirts – Rough garments that irritate the skin.

The flagellants would strike themselves on the back, arms, thighs and chest while reciting prayers. Some would draw blood, while others aimed for mild to moderate pain.

It was also common to engage in group ritual whipping sessions at public gatherings. The more extreme sects would travel by processions and perform dramatic displays of public group scourging.

Purposes and Beliefs

Why did nuns and religious orders practice these extreme acts of penance and mortification? What were they hoping to achieve?

Some of the common motivations and religious beliefs included:

Imitate the Suffering of Christ – They believed by sharing in physical pain like Jesus on the cross, they could relive his experience and get closer to God.
Atone for Sins – Self-punishment was thought to atone for sins and shortcomings, allowing them to become holier.
Avoid Temptation – Inflicting pain was believed to reduce desires of the flesh and worldly temptations.

Attain Purity – Mortification was seen as a path to spiritual and personal purity.
Communal Bonds – Public flagellation created deep bonds and solidarity among participants.
Avert Disaster – Some engaged in it publicly during times of plague or disaster, believing it could change God’s plans.

So motives ranged from personal holiness to community bonds. The shared belief was that voluntary suffering had redeeming spiritual value.

Differing Perspectives

Within Christianity over the centuries, mortification practices have been controversial and divisive. Some of the differing views include:

Approval – Some Catholic officials approved the practices as righteous acts of penance.

Tolerance – Other clergy were concerned with excess, but tolerated mild to moderate forms.
Prohibition – Several medieval popes denounced the extreme public flagellation rituals and prohibited them.
Protestants Critical – Many Protestant reformers considered it a misguided Catholic practice and condemned it.

Concerns on Health – Some raised medical concerns about harming the body and mental health.
Concerns on Motive – Criticism that self-punishment reflects pride or false piety for public display.

Debate continues today around appropriate expressions of devotion and repentance in Catholic orders, though public flagellation has declined.

Modern Views and Usage

Modern perspectives on mortification and self-flagellation among Catholic orders vary greatly. Some of the current views:

Strong Disapproval – Most mainstream Catholic clergy strongly discourage the practice as outdated.
Private Practice – Some orders still practice milder forms privately as personal penance.

Public Criticism – Public self-punishment is universally condemned and very rare today.
Considered Problematic – Many consider it based on outdated views of disordered religious fervor and piety.
Seen as Unhealthy – Modern psychology notes self-harm tendencies as signs of mental health issues.

There is also greater understanding today that Jesus’ suffering on the cross represented his unique role, and not something for believers to emulate literally. Most Catholic leaders promote prayer, charity and service over bodily mortification.

However, some very conservative orders like Opus Dei do permit limited bodily mortification like cilices and hairshirts with approval. But even in these cases, self-discipline is expected to be mild, private and supervised.

Conclusion

The practice of self-flagellation or bodily mortification has a long and complex history in Catholic and Christian tradition. While once performed openly as ritual penance, it is now rare and meets nearly universal criticism. A few very conservative modern groups allow milder forms in private, but mainstream Catholicism strongly discourages any harm to the body as misguided piety and an unhealthy form of devotion.