[Dr. Eckleburg]

At the latter half of the 20th century, Saint Josemaría Escrivá practiced self-flagellation and used the cilice, a modern-day version of the hairshirt. Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, a modern-day saint who received the stigmata wrote in one of his letters: "Let us now consider what we must do to ensure that the Holy Spirit may dwell in our souls..."

Isn't it stunning that Roman Catholics believe they must suffer self-inflicted pain in order to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit?

Most people don't give themselves pain. But if Roman Catholics believe this pain is necessary for salvation, then this goes a long way in explaining why they would want to believe a saint would pray for them and give them some of their earned merit.

A salvation stand-in.

[Salvation]

**Isn’t it stunning that Roman Catholics believe they must suffer self-inflicted pain in order to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit?**

I will pray for you since it appears that you do not fast from food or other vices — even during Lent.

Do you ever go to an Ash Wednesday Mass and then wear the ashes on your forehead for the remainder of the day? It is a sign of self-moritification. I have been teased unmercifully by classmates because I had the ashes in the form of a Cross on my forehead.