Catholic and pets
 

Thought i would ask about those who are catholic How many people participate in the pet blessing Day? for those who don't know what this is _


various places may notice something odd.

A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets.
This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.
http://www.americancatholic.org/feat...fx/animals.gif Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.
Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for St. Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat!
That there are today over 62 million cats in the U.S. attests to the continuing affection we have for our furry, feathered or finned friends. We've even had a cat called Socks in the White House. Other popular presidential pets range from Abraham Lincoln’s Fido to Lyndon Johnson’s beagles, named Him and Her.
For single householders, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature.
The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.
No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.
At Franciscan churches, a friar with brown robe and white cord often welcomes each animal with a special prayer. The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this: “Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
http://www.americancatholic.org/gfx/spacer.gif

As the prayer is offered, the pet is gently sprinkled with holy water. Believe it or not, most pets receive this sacramental spritz with dignity, though I must admit I have seen some cats flatten their ears a bit as the drops of water lightly pelt them.
But the owner is happy, and who knows what spiritual benefits may result?
Usually the Blessing of Pets is held outdoors. But I remember it rained one year, and all were invited inside St. Stephen’s Church in Manhattan. It was quite a sight to see pairs of creatures—one human, one animal—sitting in the pews. The pastor joined right in with his beagle. Noah’s Ark was never like this!
Some people criticize the amount and cost of care given to pets. People are more important, they say. Care for poor people instead of poodles. And certainly our needy fellow humans should not be neglected.
However, I believe every creature is important. The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.

Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M., is a Franciscan of the Holy Name Province.

We are not Catholic but Sam has been blessed.

Here is the story behind it -
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ttack-mom.html

Every year I would take Muffin to be blessed. They have a special Pets mass usually it is outdoors and lots of pets come. When my boys were little we brought our parakeet in its cage. He talked all during mass.

I would love to have Roxie blessed. St. Francis' feast day is Monday...I wonder if any of the churches around here are blessing the animals.

Our Episcopal Church also had a pet blessing every year. Just a beautiful service. :)

Its my favorite holiday!. My church has a special mass and each pet gets blesses as well as a special st francis pendant.

I am Catholic and we do have a special service for Pets. Mine have never been blessed but will on Monday. St Francis is my patron St. I was born on his bday, which is tomorrow October 4. :) Very nice thread.

Both Sophie Kate and Avery (my cat) have been blessed.

This year I am only taking Sophie Kate, unfortunately Avery is getting up there in years and I no longer want to add any stress to him (riding in the car is not his favorite thing).

My dog has been blessed at the St. Francis blessing day. When my son was younger, he took his hamster too. People from the parish were there with all kinds of pets, bunnies, birds, etc. It is very nice.

My girls are getting blessed next Sunday evening. :) Hope to post pictures and hope everyone else will too.

It looks like I did not realize the episcopalian cathedral near my office was doing it today and that the animals were allowed inside!! I'm so bummed! I manage to miss this every year. :(

I'm not at all religious but everyday I look at Teegy's wee face and tell him he's my little blessing

I'm Catholic and unfortunately did not know this. I quite going to church not too long after I started college. I want my babies blessed. Thank you for this update.

Your welcome.:animal-pa

Sorry you missed it, but at least you will know for next year. (I bet it will be posted on their website.) Too bad you do not live here - we could go together! :)