A Filipino devotee known for annual crucifixion reenactments is set to continue his decades-long ritual this Holy Week, even as the Catholic Church again urged the faithful to choose safer forms of sacrifice.

Ruben Enaje, 65, from Barangay San Pedro Cutud in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, is preparing to be nailed to a cross for the 38th year as part of the Via Crucis reenactment, a personal vow he began as thanksgiving.

The Catholic Church, however, reiterated that acts of self-harm such as crucifixion and flagellation are not encouraged during Holy Week.

“It’s never a practice na ini-encourage ng simbahan. Flagellation, pagpapako sa krus, susugatan mo ang sarili mo. It’s accepting your suffering with love, para i-offer mo para sa mga taong mahal mo at mga nangangailangan,” Rev. Msgr. Manuel Bravo Jr., parish priest of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, said.

Instead of physical suffering, the Church promotes acts that help others, such as blood donation.

“Para sa amin, the best way to sacrifice is to donate blood so that you will be able to give life to others,” Bravo added.

On Wednesday morning, the cathedral held a bloodletting activity in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross–Pangasinan Chapter.

Among the donors was 24-year-old first-timer Danielle De Guzman, who said she plans to make it a personal vow.

“Gusto kong makatulong sa mga nangangailangan ng dugo. Medyo may kamahalan kung bibili ka ng dugo sa mga ospital,” she said.

Church leaders also reminded the public that the core message of Holy Week is not suffering, but hope and resurrection.

“May mga pinagdadaanan man tayong bagay na mahirap ngayon, huwag kayong mag-alala. The Lord will turn that upside down again into joy. There is always the Resurrection,” Bravo said.