Stray dog crashes church service, and priest has the best reaction

Many people find comfort in going to church. Attending services can help you feel like you’re not alone when you’re feeling lost — and it turns out that’s as true for animals as it is people.

That’s what one heartwarming video shows, after a stray dog crashes a church service and finds a new friend in a friendly priest.

The sweet moment occurred in 2019 at Nossa Senhora das Dores, a church in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, during a mass led by Father José Geraldo Sobreira.

But in the middle of the service, as the priest led the parishioners in a hymn, an unexpected visitor entered the church.

It was a stray dog, who didn’t hesitate to head up to the altar and cozy up to Sobreira.

Visita ilustre e inesperada na missa da Ascensão do Senhor, hoje as 9h!

Posted by Paróquia Nossa Senhora das Dores on Sunday, June 2, 2019

It isn’t clear where the dog came from, but it was clear that he was very playful and eager for attention.

Even though Sobreira is busy leading the mass, he can’t help but be won over by the dog. He starts to laugh and reaches down to pet the friendly stray dog.

Their sweet interaction has gone viral with over 9.6 million views on Facebook.

Watch the video below:

This is one church that truly opens its doors to anyone who needs it — and it’s clear it made both the dog’s day and the priest’s.

Thousands of people commented on the video, praising the priest’s kindness towards the dog. It’s easy to imagine many places would have shooed the dog away, but they made him feel welcome and loved.

Visita ilustre e inesperada na missa da Ascensão do Senhor, hoje as 9h!

Posted by Paróquia Nossa Senhora das Dores on Sunday, June 2, 2019

And in the end, the dog picked the right church to enter. According to a Facebook comment by the church, the dog reportedly got adopted shortly after the video went viral.

You might say his prayers were answered! 🙏

Visita ilustre e inesperada na missa da Ascensão do Senhor, hoje as 9h!

Posted by Paróquia Nossa Senhora das Dores on Sunday, June 2, 2019

What a sweet video. We’re so happy to see this priest was so welcoming of this stray dog into the church, and happy to hear the dog found a home!

Please share this heartwarming story! ❤️🐾