A road race staple returned to Peachtree Road this year.
Affectionately dubbed “the blessing priest,” the Rev. Sam Candler of the Cathedral of St. Philip blessed runners in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Road Race with holy water Saturday morning, shouting “bless you” on repeat as runners flashed smiles or shouted their thanks.
As Candler tossed water indiscriminately on everyone in his vicinity, he lived up to what he says has been his pandemic principle: no judgment.
“I love being here because God blesses all sorts and conditions of humanity today,” Candler said. “So when we say ‘God Bless America,’ this is how we bless America. Everybody’s here today, so we bless them.”
Like everyone, the church has gone through a rough year, Candler said. The cathedral switched to virtual services for much of the pandemic, which Candler said was still difficult given that the church is “all about face-to-face community.”
He explained that it was necessary for people to interact in places of worship in person so people who disagree can “learn to get along” — something he said had been missing over the past year.
“I like traditions, I enjoy traditions, and the good ones, we’ve got to lift up,” said Candler, who started this particular tradition over two decades ago shortly after he became dean of the church. “We’ve got to lift up traditions that bring the world together, let us see each other face to face in a hopeful way.”
Runners seem to agree, with most swerving out of their way to the right side of the road to get blessed with water. During this race, the church also provided a blessing misting station where particularly weary runners could get in a quick shower before continuing.
Candler said he particularly enjoyed the “funny reactions”: Some runners pretended to melt after getting blessed, while others yelled, “I need all the help I can get!” Many emphasized that this was their favorite part of the race.
The Rev. Juan Sandoval ran in the 2019 race and helped bless runners as a church deacon this year, laughing when he said that he was too “out of shape” to run.
Sandoval said the race being in person once again marked a significant moment for the participants and church alike, adding that he had seen “a lot of familiar faces.”
“It was awful during that year for everybody, but we’re getting back to some degree of normalcy, not quite there yet, but getting closer,” he said. “This was a lot of fun.”
Sunday runners can also look forward to getting blessed as they embark on their 10K journeys, as another priest from the church will be outside to toss the holy water and cheer them on.
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