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A spugna is an instrument of penance used by some Christians who practice
A spugna is an instrument of penance used by some Christians who practice mortification of the flesh
Mortification of the flesh is an act by which an individual or group seeks to mortify or deaden their sinful nature, as a part of the process of sanctification.
In Christianity, mortification of the flesh is undertaken in order to repent for s ...
. With the word "spugna" literally meaning "sponge", spugnas are made from circular shaped cork that contains metal studs, metal spikes, or needles. Christians, especially those who are enrolled in a confraternity of penitents
Confraternities of penitents ( es, CofradÃa Penitencial; it, Fratellanza penitenziale; pt, Irmandade Penitencial) are Christian religious congregations, with statutes prescribing various penitential works; they are especially popular in the ...
, strike the spugna against their chests to repent of sins and to share in the Passion of Christ
In Christianity, the Passion (from the Latin verb ''patior, passus sum''; "to suffer, bear, endure", from which also "patience, patient", etc.) is the short final period in the life of Jesus Christ.
Depending on one's views, the "Passion" m ...
. Spugna are used in the privacy of one's dwelling, as well as in public Christian procession
A procession is an organized body of people walking in a formal or ceremonial manner.
History
Processions have in all peoples and at all times been a natural form of public celebration, as forming an orderly and impressive ceremony. Religious ...
s. When in public, beaters (''battenti'') cover their faces with capirote
A capirote is a Catholic pointed hat of conical form that is used in Spain and Hispanic countries by members of a confraternity of penitents. It is part of the uniform of such brotherhoods including the '' Nazarenos'' and ''Fariseos'' duri ...
in order to not draw attention to themselves as they repent, but to God
In monotheism, monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator deity, creator, and principal object of Faith#Religious views, faith.Richard Swinburne, Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Ted Honderich, Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Ox ...
; these include men, women and children. As those using the spugna sometimes bleed, white wine is poured on top of the spugna to cleanse it and protect the wound from infection.
See also
*Instruments of penance
Mortification of the flesh is an act by which an individual or group seeks to mortify or deaden their sinful nature, as a part of the process of sanctification.
In Christianity, mortification of the flesh is undertaken in order to repent for s ...
*Confraternities of the Cord
Confraternities of the Cord are pious associations of Christians, the members of which wear a cord, girdle or cincture in honour of a saint whom they wish to honour and emulate.
Background
In the early Church virgins wore a cincture as a sign and ...
*Purity ring
Purity rings (also known as promise rings, abstinence rings, or chastity rings) are rings worn as a sign of chastity. Since the 1990s, in the United States, Christian organizations, especially Catholic and evangelical Christian groups, promoting ...
References
{{reflist Christian practices Christian terminology