One day, Matthew and I happened upon this gorgeous little church, Chapelle Saint Bernardin, tucked in a narrow alley. The Brotherhood of the White Penitents of St. Bernardin built it in the 16th century. Early on, penitents practiced self-flagellation, fasting, the wearing of hair shirts, and other forms of atonement. Charity work eventually took the place of self abuse, with penitents funding the care of the sick, the burial of paupers, and the dowries of girls from poor families.