Guardia Sanframondi - spugna dei battenti

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, Cofradía 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. 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 in order to not draw attention to themselves as they repent, but to God; 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.

References

{{reflist Christian practices Christian terminology

See also

References