Warwick. Blessing of Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi held on his Feast Day

Because of the pandemic it was different this year.

Except for the animals, masks and social distancing was the rule. Nevertheless, under the unusual circumstances, the turnout was good absent a horse, alpaca, hamsters, mice and so forth.

On Sunday, Oct. 4, owners, mostly with their dogs, arrived at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, for the annual “Blessing of Animals.”

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.

And this year Anika Brezina, 11, continued that tradition by bringing her pet rabbit, “Hershey.”

St. Stephen’s pastor, the Rev. Jack Arlotta, has even recalled that a tarantella and a can of worms were among the most unusual pets brought to him in previous years.

Arlotta, assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Reynor Santiago, began the ceremony with a prayer and a reading from the Book of Genesis and then blessed each animal individually.

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.

- Roger Gavan