TIME
There is a pious belief* held by many ignorant persons, that in holy water no disease can breed or be transmitted. Pious the belief may be, but nevertheless in Balboa, C. Z., last week, the Archbishop was ordered to pay a $50 fine or close the Cathedral because mosquitoes were breeding in unhealthy and rabbit-like fashion in the fonts holding holy water.
* Other pious beliefs: no house in which blessed palms are kept will be struck by lightning; holy water will disperse devils; those whose throats are blessed on the Feast of St. Blase will be immune to throat diseases. Pious beliefs are not to be confused with Articles of Faith.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- The Reinvention of J.D. Vance
- Iran, Trump, and the Third Assassination Plot
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Scams
- Did the Pandemic Break Our Brains?
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- The Ordained Rabbi Who Bought a Porn Company
- Introducing the Democracy Defenders
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
Contact us at letters@time.com