Is Physical Penance (Pain) Accepted In Catholicism?

Question

I wanted to know if some people still engage in the physical atonement of their sins; such as self-whipping or nailing one self to a cross?

Do certain sects in Catholism accept this?

*I'm asking merely out of curiousity. What do you know of people doing this?

Answer 1

Most Catholics don't do this. Only fringe groups engage in that kind of activity or condone it.

Answer 2

No, most of what you describe is explicitly proscribed by the leading spiritual authority in such matters, at least in Catholicism, St John of the Cross, who calls such things "the penance of beast."
And there are no sects in Catholicism. By definition, you either are a Catholic or you are not. Of course, you can call yourself whatever you want and get away with it until those little black goats get separated out.

Answer 3

Perhaps, but this would only be allowed under the direction of a spiritual advisor.

Answer 4

Yes, of course! It reminds one of the passion of our Lord and is a sign of devotion.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 5

Only Opus Dei.... but they're a pretty extreme branch.... and even then it's only the extreme ones who do it.

Answer 6

YEP OPUS DEI, BUT EVEN OTHER CATHOLICS CONSIDER THEM TO BE A LITTLE OF THEIR ROCKER. THEY ARE VERY EXTREME. HOWEVER THEY ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING SECTS IN CHRISTIANITY, NOT JUST CATHOLICISM.