Penitents called battenti, or beaters, hit their legs with a "cardillo" (a cork with attached pieces of glass) during a procession through the streets in the town of Verbicaro, southern Italy April 17, 2014. The bleeding penitents walk in groups of three through the streets and stop in front of all churches and chapels in the town. The tradition began in the thirteenth century and serves as penitence for Christ's death. Picture taken April 17, 2014.
REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY)