The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-27

A orYYp SECT IN NEW NExico-PENANcl
wrru cAT-o'-SINE-TAlt.s.

A QUEER SECT IN NEW NExico-fkNANcE
WITH CAT-o'-SISE-rAlLs.
Denver telegram az Sunday says: The
Uermanos penitents, fanatical religious
sect numbering about 1000 persons In the
TERRITORY Of New Mexico, who believe In
the periodical atonement Of sin by infi'ct-
ing on their bodies agonizing fortunes,
were originally with the Roman Catholic
Church. but Archbishop Laney. shocked
nv their barbarous cruelties, promulgated
a decree hanishing them from communion.
The members have greatly Trimmed out
since then. and they now inhabit princi-
nally but four counties In the Territory.
Crest care Is taken 10 prevent the disc0v-
cry ~ their identity by the Inspector, and
ali are masked while conducting their an
n,ai pcnancc. The devotees often travel
hundreds Of miles 10 undergo the pre-
scribed fortunes. Los Griegos, small
Mexican village near Albuquerque, boasts
OF the great body Of Penitents.
Yesterday morning the ceremonies were
inaugurated by an Introductory process
sion containing about thirty men and wo-
men. The process OF publication by tor
ture began Mt 10 O'clock. Five men, naked
TO the waist, barcfooted, and wearing black
robes and hoods, completely concealing
their identity, were seen to issue above the
lodge-house Of the sect, led by the master
OF ceremonies, who carried the verltaDle
cat-o'-nine-tails. Two huge wooden crosses,
weighing two hundred and fifty pounds
each. were placed on the naked shout
ders Of two Of the self-torturers. The
sharn edges, cutting into the naked
Aesh. caused the blood 10 squirt out and
drop 10 the ground. One penitent pro-
duced sharp goad, which be thrust into
the nesh of his fellow.Suffcrers from time
N time while the procession moved up the
street TO a wild chant IN Spanish. Halting
once. the crosses were transferred TO the
others shoulders, the attendants applying
their rawhide whips mercilessly, and each
blow taking of the skin and bits OF flesh.
The procession took It's course to the goal,
half a mile away. During the march not
a groan WAS heard or 4 word spoken, but
inst before reaching the goal, a small adobe
hut. the ordeal was too much for their
overweight nerves.
For some distance before the door cactus
plants had beer thickly strown upon the
ground. aud rs the bareiooted cross-bearers
approached il one besitated. Instantly
half dozen whips descended upon bis
hare shoulders, and with bound he sprang
into the thorny plants. his every step and
the footsteps OF his followers being marked
with blood. AS the torture grew more
terrible the chant grew louder and the
thongs fell with more yigor:: Reaching
the door Of the house The. procession was
los, sight Of, sentinel guarding the
entrance. and only broken whips and
poles and blood bear witness OF what
iranspired within. Issuing from the
house, the procession reformed and
turned to their house Of worship. And so
the horriiying exercises continued, one
band of Penitents succeeding another until
night, when grand procession and chant
wound I'D the exercises for the day. Du-
ring these marches to and from the House
Of Refuge the scene 1t times was too sick
ening for description. Men submitted their
bodies TO the most merciless Negotiation,
until in some instances the bare muscle
was seen quiyering at every blow. The
whole proceeding was savage attempt to
honor the Easter season. Hitherto the law
has made no attempt to check these wild
exercises, although once n Penitent, who
threw another bearing 4 cross Into the
river near San Joan and drowned him,
was lynched by the Infatuated witnesses.