Confraternity of penitents

A confraternity of penitents in Italy mortifying the flesh with a spugna, an instrument of penance; capirote are worn by penitents so that attention is not drawn towards themselves as they repent, but rather to God.
Confraternity of penitents in Astorga, Spain, leading a Palm Sunday procession

Confraternities of penitents (Spanish: Cofradía Penitencial; Italian: Fratellanza penitenziale; Portuguese: Irmandade Penitencial) are Christian religious congregations, with statutes prescribing various penitential works; they are especially popular in the Catholic Church. Members of the confraternities of penitents practice mortification of the flesh through fasting, the use of the discipline, the wearing of a hair shirt, among other instruments of penance, etc.