Real crucifixions. Bloodstained whips. People passed out in the street from the pain.
These are the scenes from Maundy Thursday in the Philippines, where devout Catholics knocked themselves unconscious in gruesome ritual practices.
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter and is celebrated by millions of Christians worldwide to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples.
Christians believe that Jesus commanded his followers to love one another and to wash their feet during meals, and in many countries the day is still celebrated by washing the feet.
But in the Philippine city of San Fernando, the feet of devout Catholics are instead smeared with dirt and blood as they walk the streets barefoot and blindfolded, whipping themselves mercilessly with bamboo sticks and chain whips.
The practice is carried out every year to allow worshipers to “pay for” their sins – and is strongly discouraged by the pope who has labeled the act “extreme”.
Blood drips down their backs as they stumble through the city streets for miles. Some lie down and allow bystanders to beat them with wooden clubs, and others collapse when overcome with pain.
But a select few take their penance one step further.
Several worshipers volunteer to be nailed to a cross in a gruesome re-enactment of the crucifixion of their savior Jesus Christ – the ultimate expression of devotion to their faith.
Flagellants whip their bloodied backs as a form of penance as worshipers celebrate Maundy Thursday on April 06, 2023 in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Flagellants are flogged on their bloodied backs
The Philippines is Asia’s most Catholic country, and many believers take part in the cruel – but voluntary – practice
Spectators watch a group of Catholic devotees depict the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the occasion of Maundy Thursday
A Philippine hooded flagellant prays as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins or fulfill vows for an answered prayer on April 6, 2023 in the city of Mandaluyong, Philippines
A bloodied flagellant is carried away after fainting during Maundy Thursday rituals on April 6, 2023 in San Fernando
A Catholic penitent carries a wooden cross as he walks through the streets on the occasion of Maundy Thursday in Bulacan province, north of Manila, Philippines, April 6, 2023
The pope, who presides over Maundy Thursday and Holy Week celebrations, has long condemned the practice of self-flagellation
For the past three years, the shocking rituals in San Fernando have been banned due to the Philippines’ COVID protocols.
But earlier this year, local governments approved their citizens to restart the practice and believers showed up in droves.
The pope, who presides over Maundy Thursday and Holy Week celebrations, has long condemned the practice Government health officials have urged Filipino devotees to abstain from self-inflicted pain during Lent.
But the rituals have long been part of the region’s Holy Week activities, and local officials are eager to see them resumed.
Very different scenes were observed in the Vatican this week.
Francis used his Maundy Thursday sermon as a pep talk to a sea of priests, all clad in crisp white robes, after decades of child sexual abuse scandals by clergy led many believers to lose faith in their pastors.
The pope was not referring directly to the scandals or the cover-ups of the church hierarchy, but he spoke of a “crisis” affecting priests.
“Sooner or later we all experience disappointment, frustration and our own weaknesses,” said Francis.
“Our ideals seem to recede in the face of reality, a certain habit takes over, and the difficulties that once seemed unimaginable seem to challenge our allegiance.”
The ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica traditionally includes the blessing of anointings and the renewal by priests of vows made when ordained to the priesthood.
To emphasize the spirit of renewal that the Pope indicated to the needs of the priesthood, bergamot perfume was added to the ointments at this year’s Mass, which came from trees in southern Italy on land seized by authorities from gangsters.
A hooded Filipino penitent flogs herself as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins
Hooded Filipino penitents parade through the streets of San Fernando
Pope Francis (platform, above R) presides over the celebration of the Chrism Mass as part of Holy Week on April 6, 2023
A photograph taken and published as a handout on April 6, 2023 by the Vatican Media shows prelates attending the celebration of the Chrism Mass, as part of Holy Week on April 6, 2023 at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
Pope Francis drinks from the chalice as he presides over the Chrism Mass celebration as part of Holy Week on April 6, 2023 at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
In offhand remarks during the homily, Francis told priests to “remember to be shepherds of the people,” seemingly as a nod to the underlying meaning of the Maundy Thursday celebration, which traditionally involved the distribution of money and aid to the poor.
Later today, the pope will travel to a juvenile detention center on the outskirts of Rome, where he will participate in the foot-washing ritual commemorating Jesus’ last supper before the crucifixion.
It is the same juvenile facility where Francis performed the washing of feet – a powerful symbol of humility and priestly service to others – shortly after being elected pope in 2013.
Feet washing is still a tradition in many Christian denominations around the world, including through the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Catholic Church, and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Masses are also held on the day by many Anglican and Roman Catholic churches.
In Sweden, the holiday is linked to ancient folklore about witches and children are often dressed up as witches and knock on doors for treats and Easter eggs. In Bulgaria, it marks the day when people traditionally color Easter eggs and start preparing for the Easter celebrations.
Maundy Thursday is also a public holiday in many countries that were historically part of the Spanish and Danish empires.