Catholics are visiting churches, performing the sacrament of penance, participating in the Way of the Cross, and doing all their Holy Week rituals as a way of atoning for their sins.
This is inspite of the Catholic church’s discouragement of these activities.
In other parts of Pampanga, re-enactment of the passions of Christ and even actual crucifixion took place.
Whatever the penance that believers offer, hopefully, these will atone for their sins and provide them the peace they have been searching for.
Some may shrug indifferently to these rituals, but to these penitents, it’s a sacred offering and vow they do annually and – sometimes – anonymously.
Here are some pictures of penitents flogging themselves.
