--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before taking the discipline for the…" description: "\"“Before taking the discipline for the first time, Brother Martin spent considerable time in prayer. Then he lashed himself with an iron chain armed wit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04a/j-c-kearns-60626_blood-flow_before-taking-the-discipline-for-the-fir_592352.jpg" --- # Before taking the discipline for the first time, Brother… ![“Before taking the discipline for the first time, Brother Martin spent considerable time in prayer. Then he lashed himself with an iron chain armed with hooks of steel until the blood flowed copiously; to increase the pain and at the same time to staunch the flow of blood, he rubbed the wounds with…” quote by J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04a/j-c-kearns-60626_blood-flow_before-taking-the-discipline-for-the-fir_592352.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04a/j-c-kearns-60626_blood-flow_before-taking-the-discipline-for-the-fir_592352.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04a/j-c-kearns-60626_blood-flow_before-taking-the-discipline-for-the-fir_592352.jpg) > ““Before taking the discipline for the first time, Brother Martin spent considerable time in prayer. Then he lashed himself with an iron chain armed with hooks of steel until the blood flowed copiously; to increase the pain and at the same time to staunch the flow of blood, he rubbed the wounds with salt and vinegar, in this way hoping to make reparation for his faults and failings. Then Martin would spend a long period of time in the chapter room, meditating on the sufferings of Our Divine Lord, with his eyes often fixed upon the crucifix. Filled with a longing to participate in the sorrows and pains endured by Christ, Martin made preparations for the second nightly flagellation by ripping off his garments, which were matted with blood and glued fast to his shoulders. The instrument of torture now was a leather whip, and Martin inflicted an even more severe punishment upon his back and shoulders, begging Almighty God to take pity upon sinners and especially to open wide the gates of heaven by the conversion of infidels. It was zeal for souls, for those for whom Christ had shed His own Precious Blood, that urged Blessed Martin to lash himself mercilessly with this leather whip. He was only too happy to share in the bitter Passion of Christ, on the details of which he had just lovingly meditated; and he would only too gladly endure any physical pain, any agony however terrifying, if only thereby he could win souls to Christ. Martin now permitted his weary body to snatch brief rest which we have mentioned previously. With the approach of dawn, before four o'clock, he arose and ran to the bell tower, where he greeted the dawn in honor of the Mother of God, as was his regular custom. It was at this time that the holy Negro took the third and most severe of his scourgings. Again, it was preceded by prayer and the cruel removal of the rough tunic which was stuck fast to his flesh. This third scourging was administered with the branch of a wild quince tree, and sometimes Martin would enlist the assistance of an Indian or a Negro in whom he could confide and who was indebted to Blessed Martin for some outstanding kindness. Mercilessly the lash was applied by strong and powerful hands. In the midst of his sufferings Martin would urge on his friend to greater vigor and to be utterly brutal in applying this instrument for penance. This third and last scourging was for the relief of the Poor Souls abandoned in the fires of Purgatory.”” [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Martin used extreme self‑inflicted pain as a physical expression of devotion, believing it would atone for sins and bring souls to Christ. **In simple terms:** He believed suffering could bring spiritual redemption and convert others. Key Takeaway Consider the role of self‑punishment in faith. Themes devotion self‑discipline redemption martyrdom Mood intense reflective solemn Type historical religious hagiographic When to use this quote - monastic practice - personal prayer - ritual penance - conversion efforts Key Concepts asceticism spiritual sacrifice religious zeal Questions to Reflect On - What motivates individuals to seek physical suffering for spiritual aims? - Can devotion be expressed without self‑harm? A Different Perspective Such extreme practices can cause lasting physical harm and may not lead to genuine spiritual growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blood flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blood-flow/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Gates of heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gates-of-heaven/) [Physical pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-pain/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Like his Holy Father, St. Dominic, Blessed Martin thrice each night subjected himself to bloody disciplines. He did his best to keep these cruel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/like-his-holy-father-st-dominic-blessed-martin-thrice-each-night/) [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) > [“Though we are confident that Blessed Martin had no serious sins with which to reproach himself, though his contemporaries assure us that they had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/though-we-are-confident-that-blessed-martin-had-no-serious-sins-with/) [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) > [“One of the religious desired to see Martin very urgently and so came to his cell in search of him. Martin was apparently not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/one-of-the-religious-desired-to-see-martin-very-urgently-and-so-came/) [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) > [My brother Martin is two years younger than me. 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Then he lashed himself with an iron chain armed with hooks of steel until the blood flowed copiously; to increase the pain and at the same time to staunch the flow of blood, he rubbed the wounds with salt and vinegar, in this way hoping to make reparation for his faults and failings. Then Martin would spend a long period of time in the chapter room, meditating on the sufferings of Our Divine Lord, with his eyes often fixed upon the crucifix. Filled with a longing to participate in the sorrows and pains endured by Christ, Martin made preparations for the second nightly flagellation by ripping off his garments, which were matted with blood and glued fast to his shoulders. The instrument of torture now was a leather whip, and Martin inflicted an even more severe punishment upon his back and shoulders, begging Almighty God to take pity upon sinners and especially to open wide the gates of heaven by the conversion of infidels. It was zeal for souls, for those for whom Christ had shed His own Precious Blood, that urged Blessed Martin to lash himself mercilessly with this leather whip. He was only too happy to share in the bitter Passion of Christ, on the details of which he had just lovingly meditated; and he would only too gladly endure any physical pain, any agony however terrifying, if only thereby he could win souls to Christ. Martin now permitted his weary body to snatch brief rest which we have mentioned previously. With the approach of dawn, before four o'clock, he arose and ran to the bell tower, where he greeted the dawn in honor of the Mother of God, as was his regular custom. It was at this time that the holy Negro took the third and most severe of his scourgings. Again, it was preceded by prayer and the cruel removal of the rough tunic which was stuck fast to his flesh. 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