CATENELLE.
- As an instrument of penance, catenelle (Lat. catenulae) are used by Christian ascetics either for self-flagellation (v. DISCIPLINA) or to gird the waist, arms, or legs (v. CILICIO).
In the latter case the singular is used: the catenella (ancient catenuzza), which generally consists of a belt made of rings or links of iron wire with protruding points. Segneri (Manna dell'anima, IV, 19 Nov.) says: “Wearing the said cross is not an act performed only on some day of the week, as for some is the wearing of the cilice, the catenuzza, or other such penitential instruments.” An example of both uses of the c. or chains is found in St. Domenico, of whom the biographer fra' Teodorico writes: “He always wore at his sides an iron chain... every night he scourged himself three times with an iron chain” (L. Surius, t. IV, pp. 355, 363). The same is recorded of St. Caterina da Siena (L. Surius, t. II, p. 1034).
Giacinto del S.mo Crocifisso