The Blessing of the Animals 2010

On Sunday, October 3rd we commemorated Saint Francis of Assisi with our annual service of the Blessing of the Animals. Over a hundred thirty humans, both regular members of the congregation and neighbours of the church, came with their wonderful creatures great and small. Although we were mostly dogs—ranging from small toys to Golden Retrievers and a Dogue de Bordeaux—we were blessed with the presence of a good number of cats and a bird. Everyone, including the humans, behaved wonderfully! We hope you will join us at next year’s Blessing on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at 4 P.M., if not before.

Here are some wonderful photos of the service and of our friends:

Andy, the Rector’s dog, works hard every year to invite our friends and neighbours. He is our poster dog ...

and he visits all the neighbourhood hang outs talking-up the service ...

In the Church on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at 4 P.M. we will celebrate our annual service of the Blessing of the Animals in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. This liturgy is an expression of God’s love for all Creation and of his call to us to care for it.

We hope that you will bring any and all creatures who share their lives with you. Dogs and cats, birds and reptiles, fish and hamsters, and all the ones too numerous to name are all welcome.

See photos from 2009’s liturgy here.

See photos from 2008’s liturgy here.

Carl Weidemeyer-Worpswede, Saint Francis instructs the Wolf, woodcut, 1911.