Priests in the Philippines are blessing pets with holy water during a socially distanced drive-thru ceremony.

On September 4, the ceremony took place in Manila and was intended as a way of safely celebrating both World Animal Day and the feast day of the patron saint of animals, Saint Francis of Assisi.

This is the first time the annual ceremony has been held in drive-thru format. Every year, pet owners will bring their pets to be blessed by a priest, believing this to ensure their pets lead healthy, happy lives.

But this year, things looked quite different, with the coronavirus pandemic having had a serious effect on the predominantly Catholic country. According to Reuters, the Philippines has so far recorded 322,497 coronavirus infections, the highest total of any other country in Southeast Asia.

This annual animal blessing would usually attract large crowds, who would go to churches with their pets in their arms. However, the pandemic has meant that church activities have had to be restricted.

Keeping safely inside their owners’ the pets were doused with holy water by Catholic priests wearing protective face masks.

Those who were unable to go out had an online blessing. Photos shared online by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society show the animals being placed near computer screens to get their virtual sprinkling.

“We may not be able to celebrate it the way we used to, but we still have lots of reasons to be grateful for the moments we get to spend with our loyal friends,” Tefel Pesigan-Valentino, a representative from the mall that hosted the unique blessing.

The organizers have stressed the importance of the ceremony going ahead, with the event helping to raise some much-needed awareness about animal rights and welfare.