The internet is abuzz with adorable snapshots of a “socially distant” baptism that have gone viral. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, people are finding innovative ways to adapt their rituals while adhering to social distancing guidelines. From Zoom graduations to online weddings and remote burials, numerous ceremonies have been affected by the pandemic. However, certain events such as the Catholic baptism cannot be conducted online, prompting parents to share images of the modified process for baptizing children.
One widely circulated photo captured a priest using a water gun during a baptismal ceremony at a church. In the image, the mother holds her child, while the priest, positioned several feet away, squirts holy water using the water gun.
Additionally, a couple, Mary and Kyle Nielsen, took to Twitter to share a picture of a priest using a water gun to sprinkle holy water on their child. Originally intending to have a baptism for their two-month-old son Wesley James before the pandemic outbreak, the family had to put the ceremony on hold as cases surged and churches closed. Ultimately, they decided to proceed with a home baptism, with the novel idea of using a squirt gun conceived by Mary Nielsen’s brother to add a fun twist to the occasion.
The “social distancing” baptism images garnered attention on Twitter, where users both found amusement in the creativity and made memes out of the unconventional approach, while others expressed reservations. Furthermore, in a similar display of adapting to the new normal, a Catholic priest in the Detroit area used a squirt gun to distribute holy water to parishioners in their cars, ensuring proper social distancing protocols were observed. The priest took additional precautions by wearing a mask, a face shield, and rubber gloves to reduce the risk of spreading the virus during the Easter celebrations at St. Ambrose Church.
These heartwarming and amusing photos are a testament to people’s resilience and creativity in adapting to unprecedented challenges while preserving the significance of their cherished traditions.