Extreme situation, extreme solutions

Father Juan Benitez performed blessings from the air onto the community of Rochester, the 3rd most populated city in the State of New York. Father Juan Benitez took to the air last week, with another parishioner and pilot Anthony Daniele, to bless his community with a sprinkling of holy water onto the city, and a prayer of protection. Benitez followed the practice of his native Columbia, as priests had once done the very same in his homeland.

“We had the intention to tell the people that they are not alone. Many are afraid, since they have never seen such a situation in their whole lifetime. Thus these are the days when the church becomes a place where one can find comfort and support” – said the Father.

Pilot Daniele’s Diamond DA42 twin-engine turbo plane lifted off from the Rochester airport, then flew counter-clockwise around the city. Instead of climbing up to the typical 2400 metres the pilot got permission from the Rochester air traffic control to fly much lower, at a height of 600 metres. When he was about to slow to roughly 90 mph, Benitez opened the window and watered out the drops of holy water from the bottle he brought for the occasion, then said a prayer – “I was praying for the whole globe and the whole country” – Benitez said.

The flight lasted about an hour or so.

Back on the ground he celebrated a Mass inside the empty St. Louis Parish Church, where just 2 weeks earlier 250-300 faithful were present.

Both the fathers and the faithful of Maryland State responded to the extreme situation. Father Scott Holmer offers drive-thru confessions every day in the parking lot of St. Edward Church in Bowie. Keeping a safety distance between himself and those who wish to confess, he sits on a chair while cars pull up to him. Father Holmer goes face to face with some attendees, though, if necessary he goes blindfold by wearing an eye mask while listening to the worshippers. As soon as the words spread out, that Father Holmer was offering such a confession possibility, many took the opportunity and waited in long lines with their cars. Three elderly from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania travelled more than 2 hours to meet the Father.

IEC Secretariat