The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1910-04-08


The Order Of P~enitentes was founded
in Spain about three hundred years ago.
The members originally met for relig
ious study. The principles and cerc.
monies OF the Order were brought 10
the New World by the Franciscan
friars and the first public p%enance in
New Mexico was by Juan de Onate aud
his followers in 1894.
The Pueblo Indians from time I'M
memorial, were accustomed to do IA form
Of tribal penance, and at the present
time "A fast of four days twice yearly
is kept by certain persons in each pueb.
10. From a long intermingling of the
two races the present order Of Peniteu
ties has arisen.
Their Instruments ct p%cnance are the
whip and the cross. II matters not how
mean IA member is, in Holy Week, he
will carry great crosses over the noun
lash his poor naked back with whips
until the blood runs from his head IA
his heels.
The rest ut the year he may be- "A cut
throat and a william. for all his con.
science will bother him; but, if through.
out the year a member dies, their Vows
Their membership is said to include n
majority of the rural Mexican popula
tiun, The oath of the membership is oi
tho strictest nature and most Of their
work is doDe in the late hours Of nigh,
when most people are in bed.
Recently while on "A business trip
through the mountains of northern New
Mexico, came upon "A struggling col
lection Of brown adobcs lying
at the foot of the main range of the
Rocky Mountains. The village, nj most
would not contain more than three hun
drcd souls. Sheltered as il was by thos,
dark gray peaks, there was scarcely !
person visible or "A sound TO break IN,
stiffness as we drove INTO this quaint
old village to rest for the night.
After having secured accomoda;i ion,
for the night, my driver, a bright young
Mexican, strolled around the oper
square, which they were pleased to hon
or with the name Of plaza. He was
not long in learning hat something
unusual was astir and quietly inform
I'd me that the Penitentes were to per
form funeral ceremonies that night Owe
one of their members.
a knock on my door Mt 10 o'clocI
found me disguised to appear as mucl
like "A mexican AS possible. As n mat
ter of precaution, | buekled on my six
shooter, for | knew that the havo,
these fanatics wrought on their owr
hides might come with redoubled fury
on my own poor back were | found too
inquisitive. My driver led the way ant
we were near the Marado, or lodg,
room, on the outskirts Of the village.
The procession had just began I,
move, headed by llermanO Mayor, u
chief Penitente Of that vicinity. Thei,
faces in most eases, were masked will
common red handkerchiefa aud tbciI
object was to walk and distort them
selves in such a manner that they coulC
not be easily recognized. For out oI
fear OF the restrictions of the church
these ceremonies are secret, in "A way
and in many instances the lodges have
come into open encounter with theil
parish priests. In the first place the
Catholic church Of which the maiorit,
of the Mexicans are members, does no
encourage secret societies, and in thu
second place does not sanction any sucl
Semi.religious ceremonies owe the dea'
MS are performed by the Penitentes,
Close behind the mayor came a short
awkward fellow, who drew from hi
rude reed pits an unearthly disma
wall. A few rods in the rear cam,
the heaters, eighteen in number, nake'
to the waist, feet bare, and clothed onl,
in light linen drawers already beginning