The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi commemorates the saint of the Church known perhaps most popularly for his love of all God’s creatures.

The number of domestic pets in the United States is a testament to our enduring affection for our furry, feathered, or finned friends! There have been numerous famous presidential dogs and cats over the years.

In single-person households, the value of pets as companions cannot be understated. How many people return home from work to a house that, rather than being empty, is filled with the welcome of a purring cat or the swish of a dog’s tail?

The practice of the blessing of animals on the Feast of St. Francis recognizes the powerful relationship that exists between human beings and God’s creatures. The practice of blessing animals involves saying a prayer over all of them and then sprinkling them with holy water. Most pets receive this sacramental sprinkling with dignity, though in the case of pets who might be spooked, a simple sign of the cross may be made over them upon request, with no sprinkling.

Pets of all sizes great and small, from gerbils to horses, are welcome. We simply ask that pets be kept under control whether on a leash or in a carrier. We will meet in the shade on the Breezeway next to the St. Francis Garden at 10:00 AM and the service will be brief.

K9 units and mounted units are welcome to stop by as well to receive a blessing for their partners!

If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a visit with Father Matthew to bless your pet at an alternate time, please contact the Parish Office.