Blessing of the animals

As fall begins to arrive, people in some places may notice something a little different. It is not Noah’s Ark, but it is a procession of animals — everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses and cows, as they are led to some churches for a special ceremony called the “Blessing of the Animals.” This custom of blessing animals is usually conducted in conjunction with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4), and commemorates St. Francis’ advocacy and love for all of God’s creatures. God gave human beings dominion over all things; “the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). These creatures are a gift from God and bless our daily lives. They continually show us God’s grace and love. So, we have a deep affection for our furry, feathered or finned friends. And while we know communication between humans and creatures seems to be simple and basic, the bond of love between person and pet is unlike any other relationship we will ever experience. Eye-to-eye, a human being together with his or her companion animal, are two creatures of love. Read Article

By The Rev. Ken Saunders