The annual Blessing of the Animals is this weekend and churches across the US will hold special events. All creatures are invited, including stuffed animals.
This weekend is St. Francis Day. Churches invite people and “all creatures great and small” to come to the blessing.
All pets in attendance will receive individual blessings. Children can bring a stuffed animal to bless, too. Can’t go to church? There will be other events on site, too. One of them will be in the Prado (Paul Revere Mall) in Old North Church. The date is October 2nd from 1:30 PM.
The St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Gaylord will also host a similar event. It will be on Oct. 1st at 11 AM in a special pavilion outside the church. If the weather is poor, then the event will be inside the church.
“Anybody who has a love of animals can come and enjoy the service, whether they have a pet or not. Kids can even bring their stuffed animals”, Rev. Pamela Lynch says.
Christians throughout the world traditionally celebrate to feast day of St Francis on Oct. 4, the anniversary of his death in 1226. In the late 20th century, the custom of blessing animals on or around that date entered the cultural scene.
Following the service, there will be refreshments and treats for the animals and the people who accompany them. Lynch will then visit and bless the animals who live at the Otsego County Animal Shelter, 256 Fairview Road.
