Filipino villager to be crucified for 35th time to pray for global peace

Every year in three rural communities in Pampanga province north of Manila a unique and brutal Good Friday tradition takes place Villagers gather to reenact the suffering of Jesus Christ drawing hundreds of tourists to witness the spectacle

Ruben Enaje a 63yearold carpenter and sign painter has participated in this tradition an astonishing 35 times He along with seven other villagers has registered to be crucified transforming him into a local celebrity for his role as the Christ in the Lenten reenactment of the Way of the Cross

Praying for Peace

Enaje has expressed his devotion to praying for peace in regions such as Ukraine Gaza and the disputed South China Sea during his crucifixion He has received requests from villagers to pray for sick relatives and other maladies and he feels a deep sense of responsibility to help those in need

Bearing Witness to Conflict

Enaje emphasizes the impact of global conflicts stating that innocent people are affected by wars that they have nothing to do with He highlights the adverse effects of wars in Ukraine and Gaza which have contributed to soaring prices of oil gas and food in the Philippines making it difficult for the impoverished to make ends meet

Enaje also expresses concern about the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea emphasizing the need for peace in the world

Personal Miracles

Enajes own journey with the crucifixion ritual began in the 1980s when he survived a fall from a threestory building He sees the ritual as a gesture of thanksgiving for the miracle of his survival and has continued it as loved ones recovered from serious illnesses and he received more job contracts

The Grueling Ritual

During the annual crucifixions Enaje and other devotees carry heavy wooden crosses on their backs for over a kilometer in scorching summer heat They then endure the hammering of stainless steel nails through their palms and feet before being raised aloft on wooden crosses for approximately 10 minutes while a large crowd prays and takes pictures

Attesting to Faith and Devotion

The ritual also includes other penitents walking barefoot through village streets and beating their bare backs with sharp bamboo sticks and pieces of wood This tradition is a unique reflection of the Philippines distinct blend of Catholicism intertwining church traditions with folk superstitions

Opposition and Endurance

Despite disapproval of the crucifixions and selfflagellations from church leaders in the Philippines the tradition has persisted for decades They encourage alternative acts of faith and devotion such as charity work and blood donations however the villagers remain steadfast in their commitment to this annual rite

The annual crucifixions serve as a stark reminder of the unique and enduring nature of religious traditions and their significance in different cultures around the world