In the Philippines, the streets come alive on Maundy Thursday as blindfolded Catholic devotees engage in acts of intense penance, whipping their already bloodied backs beneath the scorching sun.
This scene unfolds as millions of Christians around the globe commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. The observance is especially vivid in places like Mandaluyong City and San Fernando, where worshippers walk barefoot, embodying a profound spiritual journey.
With heavy wooden crosses strapped to their shoulders, some pilgrims draw strength from fellow devotees, sharing the burden in a moving display of faith and solidarity. Meanwhile, others choose to reenact the suffering of Christ more dramatically, wielding bamboo sticks and chain-link whips to flagellate themselves.
As blood trickles down their backs, these devotees undertake miles-long treks, occasionally pausing to lie down and endure strikes from bystanders or succumbing to the pain and collapsing. It’s a ritual that speaks volumes of their dedication and belief in its power.
Participants engage in this fervent display of faith with the hope of atoning for their sins. Many hold the conviction that such acts can cleanse them, heal their ailments, or bring about answers to their prayers, making this tradition a poignant testament to their spiritual devotion.
These devotees seek to ‘atone’ for their sins, believing the ritual can cleanse sins, cure illness or answer prayers.
Despite being strongly discouraged by the Catholic Church, the practice continues each year in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
Here is a collection of photographs from this year’s controversial religious ritual.
Catholic penitents wear black cloth over their faces as they whip themselves for Maundy Thursday in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
Catholic penitents lie on the ground as an act of penance outside the Metropolitan Cathedral on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
Catholic penitents whip themselves as an act of penance outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
Penitent Edwin Bagadiong reacts as the wooden cross tilts during a play reenacting the sufferings of Jesus Christ on Maundy Thursday at Mandaluyong city, Philippines
Filipino penitents perform self-flagellation on Maundy Thursday in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
A man wounds the back of a Filipino penitent before he performs self-flagellation on Maundy Thursday in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Penitent Edwin Bagadiong reacts during a play reenacting the sufferings of Jesus Christ on Maundy Thursday April 2, 2026 at Mandaluyong city, Philippines
Catholic parishioners in the Philippines portray Jesus Christ (bottom C) and Mother Mary (2-L) in a scene of a ‘Senakulo,’ a depiction of events in the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ to mark Maundy Thursday
Hooded Filipino flagellant whips their back as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins or fulfill vows for an answered prayer at Mandaluyong city, Philippines
A hooded Filipino flagellant prays along a street as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins or fulfill vows for an answered prayer at Mandaluyong city, Philippines
Catholic penitents whip themselves as an act of penance while crossing a road in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
A Catholic penitent carries a wooden cross as an act of penance in observance of Maundy Thursday of Holy Week in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
A Catholic penitent drinks water after finishing his acts of penance in observance of Maundy Thursday of Holy Week outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
A Filipino penitent reacts during a re-enactment of the suffering of Jesus Christ on Maundy Thursday in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Filipino penitents lie on the ground as they perform self-flagellation on Maundy Thursday in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
A Catholic penitent carries a wooden cross while others whip themselves as an act of penance in observance of Maundy Thursday of Holy Week in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
A hooded Filipino flagellant with bamboo sticks strapped to his arms walk along a street as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins or fulfill vows for an answered prayer
A hooded Filipino flagellant whips his back along a street as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins or fulfill vows for an answered prayer
Catholic penitent experiencing difficulty in breathing is embraced by a companion in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province, Philippines
