Blessing of Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi
Warwick. Many Christian churches throughout the country, both Catholic and Protestant, conduct Animal blessings near Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
Warwick /
| 08 Oct 2019 | 12:48
Early arrivals: Diane Ricco and her children Angelo, Isabella, Gianna and Nicholas were first to arrive with their boxers, Max and Rocky. (
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St. Stephen’s Pastor, the Rev. Jack Arlotta, assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Reynor Santiage, blessed each animal individually.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, a group of owners with their cats and dogs arrived at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, for the annual “Blessing of Animals.”
This event is held each year in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the 12th century patron saint of animals and the environment. A host of stories that surround his life deal with his love for all creatures.
The Feast Day of St. Francis is Oct. 4 and many Christian churches throughout the country, both Catholic and Protestant, conduct animal blessings on or about that day each year.
St. Stephen’s Pastor, the Rev. Jack Arlotta, assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Reynor Santiage, began the ceremony with a prayer and a reading from the Book of Genesis and then blessed each animal individually.
He also brought a bag of treats for each dog.
This year was somewhat unusual in the fact that the pets were just the usual variety of cats and dogs.
It is not uncommon for children and adults, in addition to cats and dogs, to bring all kinds of pets, large and small. And in the past at St. Stephen’s, that has included horses, hamsters, fish, turtles, chickens, rabbits, alpacas and even an Australian Bearded Dragon lizard.
Arlotta has even recalled that a tarantella and a can of worms were among the most unusual pets brought to him in previous years.
Roger Gavan