X892 
Guadalajara 
(Jalisco) 
June 
Mission* 
arias 
Religious 
ejercicios 
in Lent 
Scourges 
and 
Disciplines 
brazen notes sound solemnly over the twilight shadows. 
The oOiiaon people also raise their hats when the large bells ring 
at noon and 3 o*clock. 
Under the present government in Mexico, missionaries need have 
little fear except in very isolated places, as the authorities will 
be very prompt in affcarding protection and stopping disturbances} 
while, at the same time, they do not care to interfere unless obliged 
to do so, as they do not desire to give any deeper offence to the 
clericals than is necessary. 
During Lent each year, the Catholics of Guadalajara have what they 
term "exercises” (ejercicios). The men go to the old church of San 
Sebastian, and the women mainly to the church of the "Santuario". 
The custom of the devout is to go to one of these ohurohes,- pay a 
certain sum for the rent of a cell for a period of 8 days, and then 
to retire there for that time from all intercourse with the world. 
It is during this time that the "diseiplinas” or scourges are used 
upon the bare back. Formerly the scourges were made of a handle 
• , •’ • • ' ■ » , ' ■ ' , * 4 . -- ■ ' A V ’ ’■ . ' • f * t 
and several strands of barbed links. 
At present scourges of small, hard ropes of maguey fiber are used. 
And I was oredibly informed that by listening as the churches of the 
ejercicios are passed in lent, the swish of these scourges can be 
plainly heard through the open windows. Pieces of leather in the 
form of bands are covered with a chain of iron wire netting with a 
barb projecting inwardly from each link or corner of the mesh. These 
are worn on the arms, wrists, legs, or as waist belts, and drawn 
tight so that the slightest motion causes the barbs to irritate the 
flesh of the wearer. Others are worn around the feet inside the 
shoes and I have seen one in the shape of a cross to be worn on the 
breast. 
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