Ruben Enaje nailed to the cross 32 times says no more pain
News & Trends •
about 80 percent of the 105 million people in the philippines a former spanish colony are catholic1 a philippine man ruben enaje who has been nailed to a cross every easter for the past 32 years in a good friday re-enactment of jesus christs crucifixion says he no longer feels any pain from his wounds1 in the past i went home injured and limping but this year i feel so great enaje said after the ritual held under a sweltering sun1 he said he believed his strong catholic faith helped him avoid pain1 i feel like he is telling me go ahead keep it up he said referring to god1 easter is a festival marking the crucifixion and resurrection of christ1 enaje 58 again portrayed christ on friday in the traditional religious rite in cutud village about 76 km 47 miles from the capital manila1 enaje said he felt strong enough to perform in two or three more crucifixions until he turns 601 enaje was among three devotees nailed to wooden crosses in the village on friday including a woman taking part for the seventh time1 actors wearing roman soldier costumes attached the devotees to crosses by hammering two-inch nails soaked in alcohol through their hands and feet and hoisted them up in a field packed with domestic and foreign tourists1 the catholic church in the philippines tolerates the ritual but says it does not support such gory displays of devotion describing them as a misinterpretation of faith1 many catholics in the philippines perform religious acts of penance during the holy week at easter as a form of worship and supplication1 some believe penance cleanses sins cures illnesses and even leads to wishes coming true1