Yes, there really is a Brazilian priest who brings stray dogs to Mass so that his parishioners will adopt them. Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes, a priest in the Diocese of Caruaru in the state of Pernambuco, takes abandoned dogs off the street, feeds and bathes them, and then gives them a place of honour near the altar during services. Reports from 2019 placed him at the Sant’Ana parish in Gravatá, a hill town about an hour from Recife.
The idea is simple. A church on a Sunday is one of the few places where a whole community gathers in one room, so a clean, friendly dog sitting by the altar is seen by hundreds of potential adopters at once. Photos of his canine congregation spread around the world in late 2019, and a Reddit post about him passed 108,000 upvotes. He later appeared in "The Protectors", an episode of the second season of the Netflix documentary series Dogs.
Below is the story behind the photos, a caption for each picture, and practical advice for anyone moved to adopt a street dog of their own.
How the Mass adoptions work
Father João Paulo keeps rescued dogs at his rectory, away from traffic and hunger. Once they are fed, washed and calmer, he brings them into church. During Mass they rest on the altar steps or wander among the pews, and after the service people can meet them and ask to take one home. He also posts dogs and cats needing homes on his social media pages, and he has kept some animals himself.
His approach has drawn critics as well as fans. Responding on Facebook, he wrote, as quoted by Newsweek: "How often our love for animals is criticized as madness." His answer to the criticism has been to keep doing it.
A tan dog sleeps stretched across the altar steps while the priest celebrates Mass in purple vestments, the colour of Lent and Advent. Scenes like this, with dogs completely at ease in the sanctuary, are what made the story so widely shared.
Two photos from the same service: a dark-and-tan dog jumps up at a priest in white vestments, then sits calmly beside him as he speaks into a microphone. Even in a full church, the dogs seem drawn to the person who feeds them.
A black dog lies on the patterned tiles of the centre aisle while the congregation stands. Placing dogs where everyone walks past them is part of the point, since visibility is what finds them homes.
A white-and-grey dog greets a priest in red vestments seated beside the altar. Red is worn for feasts of martyrs and for Pentecost, so this picture was taken at a different service from the others.
From the street to the sanctuary
A brown dog sits on a step beneath a statue of the Virgin Mary, framed by flowers. This image became one of the signature photos of the story because the dog looks almost posed.
A small tan dog stands at the feet of a priest in green vestments, the colour used in Ordinary Time, as he preaches from his chair. The relaxed body language suggests dogs that are already used to people and crowds.
A painfully thin, mange-scarred dog eats from a pile of food on the pavement. This is what many of the dogs look like before rescue, and it shows why feeding comes before anything else.
The priest holds a rescued dog on an examination table while a vet in a green gown checks it. Health checks, treatment for parasites and, ideally, sterilisation are what make a street dog ready for a family.
A cheerful, collared dog stands on the altar platform, mouth open in what looks like a grin. A collar is a small but important sign: this dog is now looked after by someone.
Out of his vestments, Father João Paulo sits with two dogs climbing into his lap on the rectory veranda. The photo gives a sense of the everyday care behind the Sunday appearances.
Three dogs sleep on a bed and a mattress inside a house. Many rescuers end up sharing their homes with the animals they cannot place right away.
Four dogs crowd around the priest in a yard, one jumping up to greet him. Managing several street dogs at once takes patience, especially when they are competing for attention.
Processions, rescues and quiet moments
A white dog with brown patches walks beside a priest in a street procession, with parishioners behind them. Dogs following religious processions is a familiar sight in Brazilian towns, where community dogs often roam freely.
A priest wearing a pectoral cross sits on a bench lined with five dogs, all looking at the camera. Note that this and some other photos in the widely shared set appear to show other clergy, so not every picture in circulation is of Father João Paulo or his parish.
The priest bathes a small white dog in a courtyard. Washing removes dirt and fleas and makes a dog far more appealing to adopters who might otherwise hesitate.
A golden dog stands in the street in front of a group holding a purple-draped cross, likely during a Lenten procession. The same dog also appears in the cover collage at the top of this page.
Father João Paulo cradles a black puppy and smiles at the camera. Puppies are usually adopted fastest, while older dogs often wait much longer, which is why rescuers keep promoting them.
Posts and videos from the parish
The priest shared many of these moments himself. The posts below come from his Instagram account between 2018 and 2019.
PadreJoao Paulo Araujo Gomes (@padrejoaopaulo) on
PadreJoao Paulo Araujo Gomes (@padrejoaopaulo) on
PadreJoao Paulo Araujo Gomes (@padrejoaopaulo) on
PadreJoao Paulo Araujo Gomes (@padrejoaopaulo) on
This video, shared by a parishioner on Facebook, shows a dog during a service, and the post below is another photo of the parish dogs shared on the platform.
Why churches and dogs make a good match
Christian tradition has long linked faith and care for animals. Saint Francis of Assisi, who is remembered for preaching to birds, is honoured on 4 October with blessings of animals in many parishes worldwide. Father João Paulo’s idea goes a step further by turning the weekly congregation into an adoption network.
It also works for practical reasons. Brazil, like many countries, has large populations of free-roaming dogs, and shelters are often full. A trusted local figure vouching for an animal, in a familiar setting, lowers the barrier for families who might never visit a shelter. His appearance on Netflix inspired other local groups to try similar ideas.
Thinking of adopting a street dog?
If this story has you looking at adoption listings, a few steps make the transition smoother for you and the dog:
- Start with a vet visit. Ask about vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment and sterilisation, and keep the records.
- Expect an adjustment period. Former street dogs may be wary of doors, leads or loud noises for the first weeks. Calm routines help.
- Secure the garden. Dogs used to roaming can be skilled escape artists.
- Consider an adult dog. Grown dogs have known sizes and personalities and are often overlooked in favour of puppies.
- Work with a local rescue. Many shelters and parish or community groups can match you with a dog that suits your home.
Even if you cannot adopt, fostering, donating food or simply sharing an adoption post can help a dog like the ones in these photos reach a family.
Sources: Photos via Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes on Instagram and Facebook (also his personal profile); Newsweek via Shelter Animals Count: Priest who brings stray dogs to Mass for adoption touches hearts; RV Asia (24 June 2022): Compassionate priest helps stray dogs by bringing them to Mass.
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