Blessing of the Animals

Today we participated in one of our church's annual services, "The Blessing of the Animals," in honor of St. Francis of Assisi whom we remember on October 3rd each year. St. Francis is known as the patron saint of animals, and so therefore, each year we have a blessing of the animals in which all creatures great and small are brought into the church nave for a beautiful and lively service. Dogs "sing" along in harmony with the choir, horses whiny in response to prayer, cats screech and birds flutter, but it is all to remind us that God did indeed create all creatures great and small, and that each and every one of them are of grand importance and a true blessing. Today we brought both Lucy and Barkley as well as our doves George and Gracie. The doves were a hit and will be featured in a 2012 calendar to benefit the LAMBS ministry which helps shelter animals in our community. It was a lovely service and we feel blessed to have participated in it once again this year.

 Lucy receiving her blessing from Father Howard. Lucy is almost 16 years old. Maybe these blessings are what keeps her young in her old age!

 Barkley always looks directly at the person who is blessing him. It's as if he is connecting to the gift he is receiving.

George and Gracie in their travel cage sat quietly in the window seal of the church after receiving their blessing.