St. Francis and the wolf.
Image Courtesy Wikimedia/Public Domain
Come on out to have your pet(s) blessed!
The annual fall Blessing of the Animals is a traditional ceremony in which animals and pets are blessed by local clergies in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who is said to have tamed a wild wolf in God’s name, and then befriended it. He was later named the patron saint of all animals.
Purpose and Meaning
- To honor St. Francis: The cermony celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4th), the patron saint of animals, who preached to animals as well as people, and viewed all living creatures as beloved brothers and sisters.
- To give Thanks: It recognizes pets and animals as gifts from God that bring joy, comfort, and companionship to human lives.
- To promote Stewardship: It highlights humanity’s duty to care for and protect the natural world and all God’s creations.
How the Ceremony Works
- Timing: In RVA, most services take place outdoors at churches and other locations on either October 3rd, 4th or 11th.
- Rituals: Clergy members typically walk among the animals, offer a short prayer, and then sprinkle them lightly with holy water.
- Participants: Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and sometimes larger farm animals like horses are often brought by their owners, to recieve a blessing.
- Alternatives: If an actual pet cannot attend due to health or behavior, owners are often invited to bring a photograph, a stuffed animal, or a remembrance item of a beloved past pet.
St. Francis and the wolf.
Pixabay Image
Where and When
Several local RVA-area churches, assisted living centers and even shopping malls, will be having blessings and other pet-related events between October 3rd and 11th
Please click on the following links to find a date, time and location near you.
St. Matthew’s Episciopal Church
Short Pump Town Center Harvest Howl
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