had themselves crucified yesterday. Of course, they didn’t die and I understand they use stainless steel nails that have been sterilized, so it seems to be a “safe” procedure. But still uncomfortable. Nevertheless, one guy has now done it for 13 years in a row. Other “scores of men pound their bleeding bare backs with bamboo sticks dangling from ropes in a flagellation rite meant to atone for sins.” Here are a couple of photos off the net:Why do they do it? According to the article, in addition to atoning for sins, it’s done to pay a vow or to pray for an illness to be cured. The guy who’s done it 13 times said he’s doing it this time so that his sick son will get well. He also said “After being nailed to the cross, I feel so refreshed, like all my sins are washed away.”
Although religious authorities frown on the practice it has become an annual ritual in some places. The guy who has done it 13 times says his own father had done it 15 times.
In my area nobody gets crucified. But a number of people carry crosses or crawl on their knees up a winding road to the top of a hill at the top of which is a shrine. An even larger number go along in procession on foot. (Witnessed by the fact that today you can still see the entire road to the top is carpeted in discarded cups, juice packs, junk food wrappers, and water bottles.)
Tomorrow beginning about 2am there will be a procession starting from the nearby church. The Mary figure and accompanying procession will leave through one door and the Jesus figure and accompanying procession will leave through a different door. They will pass over different routes around town and then “meet” at the nearby mall. From there the two processions join and go back to the church together where there will be a special pre-dawn service. And then Holy Week is over.
No comments:
Post a Comment