I had a couple of reasons for going there. First, the idea of actually witnessing such an event for the first time intrigued me. Second, I wanted to see just how extreme people can get in order to atone for their sins. Third, I wanted to bring my camera gear and document the event as it transpired.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term Penitensya, here’s the definition, as lifted from a Manila Times Article by Perry Gil Mallari, dated April 8th of last year:
Penitensya or public penance is a deeply entrenched tradition among Filipino Catholics. Conquistadores Christianized the Philippines 400 years ago at the time of the Spanish Inquisition when Catholic authorities practiced torture, subjugation and self-denial as standard procedure. The appropriate term for this practice in Roman Catholicism is “mortification of the flesh.”
Individuals who engage in these rituals aim to atone for a particular sin, have their prayers granted or achieve a higher spiritual experience or vision.
Filipinos exercise their penitensya vows in different ways. The most well known are self-flagellation, the carrying of a heavy wooden cross under the sweltering sun or in some cases being actually crucified.
It was such an experience for me. I couldn’t help but feel a range of different emotions. There was a part of me that wanted to really get down on the ground and shoot from unlikely angles, but there was the fear that I’d get hurt (especially since I was a girl) or that my camera would be splattered with blood. There was a part of me that marveled at the dedication of these penitents. There was also, of course, a part of me that felt pity for them, knowing that Someone already sacrificed for their sakes.
Anyway, this photo shows the start of the procession. Hooded men start whipping themselves on the arms and back slowly at first.
Penitents have a long route to follow. They usually comb every street of a baranggay (a district) under the heat of the sun — and always, they walk barefoot.
Someone is assigned to portray "Jesus" and he carries a wooden cross for the duration of the procession.
A few brave souls decide to give themselves more pain. They lie down on the ground and raise their two index fingers. This gives volunteers the signal to beat their backs. When the men lower their fingers, the "beaters" stop.
One day, these smiling little girls could be the mothers, sisters, or wives of penitents. Women usually lead the procession by singing, praying, or reading from booklets. Some wait at the end of the procession to close the whole ritual with prayers and songs. Some also serve food to the penitents after the rites.
At the end of the ritual, I couldn't help but sigh a relieved sigh. It was over and their "suffering" could finally come to an end. But most of all, I felt relief knowing that I would never have to go through all that self-torture.
-1 John 4:10