Blind-folded Catholic devotees whip their bloodied backs within the Philippines as world marks Maundy Thursday
Blind-folded Catholic devotees in the Philippines have taken to the streets on Maundy Thursday, whipping their bloodied backs under the hot sun in acts of extreme penance.
It comes as millions of Christians worldwide are marking the day commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
In Mandaluyong city and San Fernando, worshippers walked barefoot through the streets, some carrying heavy wooden crosses with the help of fellow devotees.
Others mercilessly flagellated themselves with bamboo sticks and chain-link whips in a re-enactment of Christ’s suffering.
Blood dripped down their backs as they stumbled for miles, with some lying down to be struck by bystanders and others collapsing in agony.
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
