Father Ruben Perez Rubio in Contepec, Michoacan state, western Mexico, garnered public attention after a video of him performing an "unconventional" holy water blessing ritual went viral on social media last week. The ritual took place during the city's Feast of Saint James the Apostle.

The video shows Father Rubio standing on the bed of a white pickup truck, holding a high-pressure water sprayer. He directed the stream towards the crowd to administer holy water. This device is typically used for washing cars, walls, or floors due to its ability to generate high-pressure water streams. Normally, during such ceremonies, priests use a specialized aspergillum or a fresh branch, dipped into a holy water font, to sprinkle parishioners.

Mexico News Daily reported that this holy water blessing ritual occurred outside Father Rubio's church on 22/7, with dozens of parishioners present. Attendees, including children and the elderly, stood along the road to receive the holy water. As the truck moved, the priest alternately directed the sprayer to both sides of the vehicle, simultaneously spraying water and praying, asking for blessings and protection for the families attending the ceremony.

Father Ruben Perez Rubio uses a high-pressure sprayer to bless attendees with holy water in Contepec, Michoacan state. Video: X/@Mexico_NewsMX

Most parishioners in the video did not appear bothered. They smiled, raised their hands to receive the water, and embraced the ritual. This unusual blessing method quickly attracted thousands of comments online. Many viewers also saw this as a joyful moment, reflecting a more accessible and modern approach to religion. Some social media users praised the creativity, suggesting the priest found a practical solution to accommodate the crowd and make the ritual more engaging. One user called Rubio a "modern priest", joking about whether parishioners could send confessions via mail or phone. "This method isn't bad because he found a way for everyone to receive holy water", one user commented.

However, the method also drew criticism. Some observers noted that the crowd seemed to be waiting only for the water spray, no longer paying attention to the rest of the prayer. Others commented that Father Rubio was both wasting water and diminishing the solemnity of the ritual.

The Feast of Saint James the Apostle, known as Santiago Apostol in Spanish, is a significant religious festival. It is revered in many places across Mexico, Latin America, and Spain. In Michoacan, the feast for this saint typically includes mass, street processions, musical performances, and cultural activities. This event is also celebrated in many other regions across Mexico, including the capital, Mexico City.

Ha Linh (According to Mexico News Daily, El Universal, Infobae)