Celebrations of Saint Francis of Assisi: blessings of animals in several cities around the world
Quick Look
- Pet owners and their companions participated in annual St.
- Francis of Assisi Day blessings in cities including New York, Quito and Tegucigalpa, celebrating the bond with their pets on the 800th birthday of the patron saint of animals and ecology.
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Why It Matters
The blessing of animals on St. Francis of Assisi is a tradition linked to the patron saint of animals and ecology, observed in many countries, particularly in Latin America, and linked to Animal Day proclaimed on October 4 by the World Animal Protection Organization in 1929.
Pet owners and their companions gathered in cities from Quito to New York to Tegucigalpa for the annual St. Francis of Assisi celebrations this Sunday.
In New York, the owners and their four-legged (or finned) companions gathered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for the celebration, where priests offered blessings to the animals after a special service honoring the saint, known for founding the Franciscan religious order.
After the ceremony, clergy blessed the animals while their owners stood in line with their companions. Many of them said they came to celebrate the special bond that unites them with their animals. One owner indicated that her dog was coming “for the tenth year in a row”, while another said she was bringing her cat “because she is a little disturbed”.
Across the globe, Franciscan priests have blessed dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, roosters and even the ashes of deceased pets during the ceremony.
The Catholic Church established this tradition in connection with Saint Francis of Assisi, recognized as the patron saint of ecology and animals.
The World Animal Welfare Organization proclaimed October 4 as Animal Day in 1929, and this blessing tradition is observed in many Latin American countries.
This event marked the 800th birthday of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, ecology and the environment.
Open Questions
- Exactly how many people attended the ceremony in New York?
- What other animals have been blessed besides those mentioned?
- Were there any donations or collections during this event?
