Blessing of the Animals

Special outdoor service in celebration of all God’s creatures, especially those near and dear to us as our pets. Bring your feathered, fleecy, or furry friends (or photo or stuffed animal!) to a blessing service with
Rev. Nancy Haynes.

We welcome all well behaved animals that are in their crates and/or on leashes. There will be a brief welcome and liturgy and then blessing will commence. This is a wonderful way to remind children of all ages that all of God’s creatures are blessed and loved. Photos of pets who are either not so portable or no longer living will also be blessed, and any special toy animals are welcomed, too! This custom is held in honor of St. Francis of
Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology (whose remembrance day is in early October) and his love for all creatures. St. Francis wrote the “Canticle of the Creatures”, an ode to God’s living things: “All praise to
you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.”

Many centuries after St. Francis, our pets provide companionship, share our joys and sorrows, and teach us in many ways about the gift of love.