Penitensya, Penance, Holy Week Tradition in the Philippines
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After shooting from our 1st destination, we directly head our way to the Next Stop: Guagua. What’s in there? The second oldest church in Pampanga, the Betis Church, nicknamed as the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines.
Penitensya
But before we proceed, lets have a little lecture here about the word itself…
The word Penance derives from Old French and Latin poenitentia, meaning repentance, the desire to be forgiven. But traditionally, Penance has been viewed as a punishment and varying with the character with the offences committed.
Penitensya
Doing this often involved severe, often public, discipline, which could be both harsh and humiliating but was considered spiritual act.
Penitensya
Penitensya, the Filipino term for Penance, is a tradition being held by the Filipinos during Holy Week, specially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Penitensya
Carrying a cross on his way to 7 churches… Another way of doing Penitensya.
Penitensya
While we were shooting inside the Betis Church, we’ve noticed a group of people doing their Penitensya outside. Considering this church as their next stop, they pause for a minute, kneel down and silently say their prayers.
Penitensya
Using shred leather straps, you can hear the loud strikes to the hand and to the back of the man with black Nazarene dress. And believe me, seeing and hearing him taking these punishments, you’ll absolutely say it to yourselves that you don’t wanna be in his position taking those painful act.
Penitensya
After kneeling down for a few minutes, they suddenly lie, facing down their flesh skin on the ground. Suffering from extreme heat of the sun and the hot surface of the ground, they stay lying for almost 5 minutes before they stand up and leave the place.
Penitensya
The row of pain and suffering…
Penitensya
Every man has its own cross. The only thing that matters is how will you carry it…
Penitensya
Penitensya
Most of us say that doing this kind of Penitensya is a sinner. Well I say all of us are sinners, but they have the guts, courage, strength and faith that keeping them holding and enduring these punishments.
Penitensya
A closer look at their back… Busted wounds and blood pouring, as the sun heats up their wounded flesh.
Penitensya
Bloods and Cross…
Two things that describes the agony and pain suffered by our Lord Jesus Christ. I guess for some people, this is their way and interpretation of doing their Public Penance or Penitensya.
- The End
Thanks for dropping by to my Penitensya Gallery! By the way, if you like this post, you can drop some comments and rate it. Just click those stars and gimme a holy yeah! \m/
See also:
Penitensya, Penance, Holy Week Tradition in the Philippines
San Guillermo Parish Church, Betis Church, photo shoot
San Agustin Church, Sta Rita Church, Maleldo 2010 photos
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Gears Used:
Canon EOS 1000D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens
3 Responses to “ Penitensya, Penance, Holy Week Tradition in the Philippines ”
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darius pimentel 
[...] While we were shooting inside the Betis Church, we’ve noticed a group of people doing their Penitensya outside. Considering this church as their next stop, they pause for a minute, kneel down and silently say their prayers. View the full post here. [...]
[...] also: Penitensya, Penance, Holy Week Tradition in the Philippines San Guillermo Parish Church, Betis Church, photo shoot San Agustin Church, Sta Rita Church, Maleldo [...]
Up until now, I still don’t get it why people do that to themselves. Christ already did that for us, sinners, a long time ago and all we have to do is to accept Him in our hearts and let Him rule over our lives. We don’t have to punish ourselves, if we do, then what’s the point of Christ dying on the Cross? Accepting Christ in our hearts washes away all our sins:) Check the Bible and see for yourselves