I was going through my old photo's and found these from Good Friday 1974 in the Philippines. The paddle is used to break the skin so the penetents can use a flail to whip themselves to demonstrate their repentence for their sins. The man in the white pants was taken a short time after the picture was taken to the hospital. The cuts apparently went too deep into his back or he has a clotting disorder. That last picture is of a man who promised God if his mother got better from a serious illness that he would allow himself to be crucified every good firday for 13 years. I met his mother, she got better and he is honoring his promise. The nails actually go through his hands and the ropes on his arms prevent them from tearing out of his hands. At this time he had done this for 7 years. There was an article in National Geographic with some very good pictures of this event that were taken the same day. This event and these proceedings are not recognized by the Catholic church but that doesn't seem to matter to literally thousands in the Philippines that participate in these type activities all over the country. Most however do not go as far as having themselves nailed to the cross.