Catholic penitents in the Philippines marked Maundy Thursday outside the Cathedral of San Fernando in San Fernando City during the Holy Week. Carrying a large wooden cross, the crowd intentionally damaged their skins so their blood covered their skin, symbolizing the painful suffering of Jesus Christ.
The Catholics were formerly urged by church and government health officials to stop damaging their bodies, but the tradition is still carried on by the believers.
Holy Week, in which rituals related to Jesus Christ’s suffering, death, and burial are performed, is followed by Eastern.