Priest Uses Squirt Gun Filled With Holy Water For Drive-by Church 'Blessings'

The Philippine government finally gave in to the religious groups' request to let them conduct holy masses and gatherings, subject to preventive hygiene protocols and physical distancing.

In areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), religious gatherings may be done in churches or private homes but with only up to five persons. In regions under general community quarantine (GCQ), gatherings are allowed only for up to 10 people at a time.

Priests, imams, rabbis, and other religious ministers may need to conduct a lot of religious gatherings to accommodate everyone in their communities. They can heed this Michigan priest's creative idea of continuing to bless churchgoers during the COVID-9 pandemic.

It started back in Easter this year when Father Tim Pelc used a squirt water gun filled with holy water to bless churchgoers who pass by their church, St. Ambrose Parish. At that time, it was closed to contain and prevent the spread of the potentially fatal virus.

The parish's Facebook page shared photos of Father Tim wearing gloves, face mask, and shield along with his usual priest attire. He's pointing his holy water-filled squirt gun at parishioners who had their car windows down so they could receive the "blessing."

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The idea was initially hatched so that Father Tim can continue a tradition of blessing Easter baskets despite the situation. At some point during his sting, the priest also took the Holy Bible to deliver readings to drive-by churchgoers.

Before you worry, Father Tim said the squirt gun idea was pre-approved by one of his doctor friends who assured him that it was safe. "You can't double-dip into the holy water container," Father Tim told Today. Holy water basins at churches have been empty and covered to discourage parishioners from touching it.

The photos posted of St. Ambrose Parish sparked memes on Twitter and even a Photoshop battle in Reddit, with the image altered to depict the priest squirting the water gun against the exorcist or with the Star Wars Stormtroopers, and the like.

Father Tim told Buzzfeed News he was a little concerned about how The Vatican would react to his now-viral photos, but they haven't heard from them yet. All that matters was that his community was delighted. “People wanted to have a bright side to the things that are happening in the world right now," he said.

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