Abbey-Roads2

Why some monks and nuns wear hair-shirts.

Have you ever read a wonderful book on spirituality and the author is simply identified with the signature,  ”By a Carmelite Nun”, or “By a Carthusian”?  One reason for their anonymity is similar to why they sleep on straw mattresses and wear coarse clothing, and in some instances, even wear a hair shirt.  In the case of apparel, aside from the spirit of poverty, another intention is to mortify the senses, or discipline one’s appetite as regards vain rejoicing in sensate goods.  John of the Cross addresses the dangers that follow from the excessive indulgence of this joy:

“Enjoyment in the touch of soft objects foments more numerous and more pernicious kinds of harm, and by it the senses more quickly pervert the spirit and extinguish its strength and vigor.” - Ascent III; Chapter 25: 6

St. John goes on to list various vices resulting from such indulgence; effeminacy or incentives toward it, lust, timidity and unmanliness, moving  the senses towards flattering, honey-mouthed speech, disposed toward sin and the causing of harm, and so on.  St. John concludes by saying, “Some temperaments receive more detriment from one small occasion than others do from many.” - Ascent; Chapter 25: 7

Vainglory.

So we now understand better a couple of reasons why some ascetics wear coarse clothing and seek to mortify the natural will for sensory goods.  The indulgence of the will in vain rejoicing in sensate goods, as well as in natural  and intellectual goods easily induces the soul towards “flattery and vain praises.”  As St. John of the Cross cautions:

“Flattery and vain praises, involves deception and vanity, as Isaias warns: ‘My people, whoever praises you deceives you.’ [Is. 3:12]” -  Ascent III; 22: 2 

 St. John rightly points out the harm that results from flattery and vain praise when he notes that the reason these things cause harm is that even though the truth may be told by lauding natural talents or grace and beauty, “this praise never fails to cause some harm, either to cause the person praised to fall into vain complacency and joy, or by directing one’s imperfect affections and intentions toward the person” who possesses these gifts.  (All of our works should be to please God alone and for his glory, since all of our gifts and talents, grace and beauty, are from him.)

Self-exultation and pride.

The case is similar as regards vain rejoicing in intellectual, spiritual and moral goods, or gifts.  At times, this is clearly apparent on certain Catholic websites as well as in certain religious organizations or communities.  It is a danger all of us fall prey to.  Again, I like to accommodate St. John’s observations in this regard.  Naturally, he sees that vainglory, vanity, pride, and presumption are the first types of harm caused by our reliance on praise and recognition.

The saint  also mentions how these dispositions give rise to boasting, looking down upon others as inferior, working  for one’s own personal  satisfaction or the recognition of others.  Some work very hard to gain praise for their works, others desire thanks, while others desire that they and their works be celebrated with awards and recognition, much like the priests in the Gospel who sounded the trumpet when they gave alms. 

The need for mortification.

Someplace in the Gospel, Jesus asks, “How can you believe when you seek praise from men?“  I often think of this, because I, like many others - perhaps even more so - delight in the approval of others; my nature seeks affirmation and praise, and tends towards jealousy and envy when this is denied me.  Hence, I constantly need to mortify these desires, and seek God and His glory alone; because, as today’s Gospel affirms, “Without Jesus we can do nothing.”

Thus, we also come to understand why some monks and nuns signed their books, “By a monk”, or “By a nun”.