TRURO, Nova Scotia (AP) — The tranquil town of Truro was thrown into disarray last Sunday when baby Olivia Thompson, just six months old, staged a dramatic protest during her baptism ceremony at St. Andrew’s Church. What was supposed to be a serene and joyous occasion quickly turned into a spectacle that locals are dubbing the “Baptism Blowup.”
Parents Mark and Jennifer Thompson had invited close family and friends to witness the solemn rite of passage. Little did they know, baby Olivia had other plans. As Reverend Michael O’Connor began to pour the holy water, Olivia’s eyes widened with indignation, and she let out a wail that reverberated through the centuries-old church.
“It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” Reverend O’Connor recounted. “I’ve baptized hundreds of babies, but Olivia’s reaction was something out of a horror film. The pitch, the volume—she was making her feelings very clear.”
Witnesses describe a scene of chaos and confusion. “The second the water touched her head, she started screaming like a banshee,” said family friend Lisa Harris. “It was so loud, I thought the stained glass windows might shatter.”
Olivia’s displeasure didn’t stop at screaming. She flailed her tiny arms and legs, knocking over the silver baptismal font and dousing Reverend O’Connor’s robes in the process. “She kicked the font so hard, I thought she was trying to smite me,” said the reverend, who remained remarkably composed throughout the ordeal.
The congregation watched in stunned silence as the normally serene ceremony devolved into pandemonium. “It was like a scene from ‘The Exorcist,’ but with more water and less pea soup,” joked cousin Matthew Thompson.
Despite the unexpected theatrics, the Thompsons tried to maintain their composure. “We had no idea she would react like this,” Jennifer Thompson said, shaking her head in disbelief. “Olivia’s usually such a calm baby. I guess she just has very strong opinions about holy water.”
Social media quickly caught wind of the incident, with hashtags like #BaptismBlowup and #HolyHavoc trending in local circles. Memes and GIFs of Olivia’s meltdown spread like wildfire, turning the tiny tot into an overnight internet sensation.
Public reaction in Truro has been mixed. Some see the incident as a sign of the times. “Babies today are just more vocal about their personal space,” noted local pediatrician Dr. Emily Reed. “We need to respect their boundaries, even in religious settings.”
Others have taken a more spiritual view. “Perhaps she’s an old soul rejecting past life traumas,” speculated town mystic Angela Moonflower. “Or maybe she’s just not a morning person.”
As for baby Olivia, she has since returned to her usual serene self, much to the relief of her parents. “We’ll laugh about this one day,” Mark Thompson assured. “Probably when she’s a teenager and we need a good story to embarrass her with.”