“Praying With Pain”. A devotee celebrates the Catholic Good Friday in Bulacan, Philippines by whipping himself in the back. Such a ritual act of self-mortification is a cherished tradition in this predominantly Catholic country. Their faces covered for anonymity, penitents like this man perform this to signify oneness with Christ – in the hope that they, too, will one day gain entrance into heaven. (Photo and caption by Lester Ledesma/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)
|