Los Picaos de San Vicente de la Sonsierra

Beating after being picado.

Los Picaos are a penance of the Christian religion, now professed only in the town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in La Rioja (Spain). It takes place during processions and Stations of the Cross. It consists in the self-flagellation of the back, of a group of people as an act of faith and voluntarily, called disciplinantes, by the beating continued with a ball.

On February 17, 2005 the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade of Spain granted the title of Fiesta of National Tourist Interest to be held the Holy Thursday and Good Friday.[1]

History

Disciplinantes with his partner at the start of the procession.

It is believed that the tradition began in the late 15th century or early 16th century. Since then has been linked to the Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz in the town.

On March 20, 1799 attempted unsuccessfully to abolish this tradition as it was taking place privately.

The clergy of Spain had great reverence, to receive indulgences.

In 1998 it received the rank of Regional Tourist Interest.[2] In January 2004 began the process of obtaining the status of National Tourist Interest,[2] was achieved in February 2005.[1]

Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz de San Vicente

The organization of the events associated with this tradition, are managed from its inception by the Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz. No one knows the exact date of foundation. On June 19, 1551 were presented their statutes, which was filed the tradition that existed until then.

Its headquarters is located in the Hermitage of San Juan de la Cerca.

Disciplinantes

Disciplinantes beating in front of the Virgin.

Volunteers who wish to undergo this penance, they must meet the requirements of being adult, man, and that a priest has to stating that they are Christian and its good faith.

The brotherhood (cofradía) assigns each disciplining a brother, for help and accompany it during the penance.

At all times it maintain the anonymity of these people.

Most are people of this town or descendents, although some others have no connection with this and each has found his reason to decide to do this penance.

Clothing

Discipline

The práctico cutting to a disciplinante.
Disciplinante after finishing.

During the processions, each disciplinante, choose at what time he want to offering, then kneel, pray a prayer and after standing up, his companion will remove the cape and leave the back exposed. With a mop of cotton held with both hands, Sticking going strong lashes in the back, to lash out strongly above the shoulders, each time by one side of the neck in a rhythmic way.

The partner and the práctico (person in charge of healing the wounds) decide when to stop hitting, to start spotting small bruises. There is no set time, but is usually between ten and twenty minutes leading up to 1,000 hits. The handy "práctico" will cut three times on both sides of the lumbar back, using a tool called "esponja", which is a ball of beeswax with six crystals embedded in two in two, so it will receive twelve punctures symbolizing the number of apostles. After that the disciplinante hitself a few times, for that the blood that may have accumulated in the area, can escape and prevent further problems.

Once complete, the partner will return to cover the back and put the layer to go to the headquarters of the cofradía where a specialist practitioner will heal any wounds with rosemary water and a cream in which its composition is secret and passed from generation on generation.

Dates to be performed

References

  1. 1 2 BOE 067 of 03/19/2005 Sec 3 Pag 9669 to 9669
  2. 1 2 Government confirms the statement of Los Picaos de San Vicente (La Rioja) and national tourist interest
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