Philippines: COVID-19 pandemic prompts drive-thru pet blessing ceremony

A priest in Philippines, on October 4, blessed pets with holy water during a socially distanced drive-thru ceremony. ceremony, which took place in capital city of Manila, was intended as a way of safely celebrating both World Animal Day and feast day of patron saint of animals, Saint Francis of Assisi. Due to unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, this year, for first time, annual ceremony was also held in drive-thru format and pet parents brought ir furry, feary friends to be blessed by priests to ensure ir pets le healthier happy lives. 

This year things looked quite different as dely virus has infected over 322,000 people in Philippines, making it worst affected country in Souast Asia. annual animal blessing usually attracts large crowds as people flock to churches with ir pets in ir arms. However, amid pandemic, church activities h to be restricted. 

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Virtual sprinkling amid pandemic 

On Sunday, keeping safely inside ir owners’ vehicles, cats, dogs, and even birds were doused with holy water by Catholic priests wearing protective face masks. One photograph from event also showed a dog sitting quite happily on seat of car as y received ir blessing. For those who were unable to attend event, PAW Philippines also organised a virtual sprinkling for pets. 

While speaking to Vice, Tefel Pesigan-Valenti, a representative from mall that hosted unique blessing, said that even though event was t organised as previous years, pet parents still h a lot of reasons to be grateful for moments y got to spend with ir ‘loyal friends’. Organisers said that it was important for ceremony to go ahe, even in such a ‘unique way’ as it raises awareness about animal rights and welfare. 

(Im: AP) 

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