Los Picaos de San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Los Picaos are public acts of penance of the Christian religion that occur in the town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in La Rioja (Spain). In Christian processions and Stations of the Cross,  members of the Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz de San Vicente, a Christian confraternity of penitents, practice self-flagellation of the back by using a discipline as a voluntary act of faith; they are called disciplinantes.

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 on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

History 

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. In January 2004 began the process of obtaining the status of National Tourist Interest, was achieved in February 2005.

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 

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 descendants, although some others have no connection with this and each has found his reason to decide to do this penance.

Clothing 
 White tunic knee-length, with an opening in the back.
 A white girdle around his waist.
 White hood with eye holes.
 Brown cape with a white cross.

Discipline

During the processions, each disciplinante chooses at what time he wants to perform the offering, then kneels, prays, 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 
 During Holy Week 
 Maundy Thursday
 During the procession of the Last Supper, around 19:30.
 In the Holy Hour. 23:00.
 Good Friday
 After the procession of the Stations of the Cross at about 11:30.
 During the Holy Burial Procession that starts about 20:30.
 Cruz de Mayo, May 3 if it is Sunday and if not the following Sunday. The Stations of the Cross begins around 18:00.
 Cruz de Septiembre, September 14 if it is Sunday and if not the following Sunday. About 18:00.

References

External links 

 Website of Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz

Holy Week in Spain
Festivals in Spain
Riojan culture