ASCETICISM
In Christianity, asceticism is the effort exerted toward overcoming sinful habits, healing spiritual incapacities, or repenting. Good examples of zealot ascetics are monks and hermits, who took vows of celibacy.
As we know from the lives of saints, asceticism was not specific to monks, but to all pious Christians, who through abstinence, genuflection and unceasing prayer tried to propitiate the Creator.
As in the lives of ascetics, so in the worship of every Christian, fervency to feats may lead to extremes, which should be prudently avoided and thoroughly revealed to confessor.