Priest Attacked During Service Says Holy Spirit Helped Him Respond

A priest at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane, Washington, was attacked during a service on Tuesday (February 4). Rev. David Gaines was leading a healing novena when a man, later identified as Joshua James Sommers, rushed the altar and assaulted him.

Gaines managed to deflect most of the blows, sustaining only minor injuries. The incident was captured on a livestream, showing Gaines repeatedly telling Sommers, "It's OK," and asking him to calm down.

Parishioners and a security guard quickly intervened to restrain Sommers until police arrived. He was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, and fourth-degree attempted assault.

Gaines attributed his calm response to the Holy Spirit, telling Fox News, "I don't know, honestly, where that came from."

Sommers, who was not a member of the church, was brought in by a mother and son who found him living on the streets. Authorities later informed Gaines that Sommers suffers from schizophrenia.