Blessing of the Animals

In October, St. John's celebrates the Blessing of the Animals. This simple, informal service held outdoors honors the love between persons and their pets.  Parishioners present their various pets and one of our priests blesses each.

Traditionally, the Blessing of the Animals occurs on or near October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226).  Francis was known for his love of creation and all creatures.  As a boy, he especially loved the larks which flew above his hilltop hometown, Assisi.  Later, he wrote a Canticle of the Creatures:  “All praise to you, O Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.”  The largest Blessing of the Animals, presumably, occurs at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York.

On the afternoon of Sunday, October 3, 2004, our Blessing of the Animals took place at the entrance to the Barr Center, the Rev. Fletcher Montgomery presiding.