After six months without performing baptismal rites due to the pandemic, the "Health and Peace" Sanctuary, known as Father Eustáquio's church, in Belo Horizonte, has included the celebration of the sacrament in the temple's weekly routine.

Last Sunday, three children were baptized. With a limited number of people present, participants had their temperature checked, and their shoes and hands sanitized. In one pew sat the parents and the child, next to them, in another pew, sat the godparents. The guests of each child being baptized sat in the other pews marked to maintain social distancing.

The Sign of the Cross, which is normally made by the parents, godparents, and the priest, was made only by the father and mother of each child. Some parts, complementary to the baptism rite, where people would get close to each other, were avoided. Only when the priest poured the water on the child's head were the parents and godparents allowed to get closer.

Miguel, just nine months old, had his baptism scheduled for April, but then the pandemic hit and they had to postpone the ceremony to July. Due to further isolation measures, the date was rescheduled for the end of September. Isabel Pacheco, Miguel's mother, said she was anxious to baptize him: "I completely understand the restrictions we faced during the baptism, and for our family, what truly matters is faith," said the tourism professional.

For Father Edmar Oliveira, who celebrated the rites this Sunday, the moment still calls for caution, but there are many baptisms that need to be performed: “Little by little we are resuming all the sacraments and organizing ourselves for this. Before, we had baptisms a few Sundays a month, now they happen every week!”

For more information about courses, dates and health restrictions, call the Parish Office: (31) 3462-6557.