St Vincent de Paul says, ‘He who has little regard for bodily mortification, under the pretext that interior mortifications are much more perfect, demonstrates very clearly that he is not mortified either interiorly or exteriorly.’

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If the Holy Spirit wishes to lead a soul by way of extraordinary penances, he will inspire the soul to that effect and will give the strength necessary to carry it out.  Meanwhile, the majority of souls should practice ordinary bodily mortification by accepting the little crosses of daily life with a spirit of faith and perseverance.  This last point is very important.  It is better to accept and carry faithfully the little crosses of everyday life than to give one’s self to occasional periods of great penance, alienated with other periods of relaxation.  –Father Jordan Aumann ‘Spiritual Theology’