The blessing of the pets

Last Sunday we experienced a ritual in our church known as the 'Blessing of the Pets'.  The custom is conducted annually in remembrance of St Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures.  St Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, was known to preach to the birds and animals.  It is written that he and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, once allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

And so we arrived at church last Sunday with great anticipation of the animals that may be present.  People are encouraged to bring their pets to church (or a picture of their pet if the animal can't be present).  As part of the service the pets receive a special blessing and are sprinkled with holy water in a ceremony either inside or outside the church.  A somewhat strange custom to us, but one that is significant in some denominational traditions. 

On the same occasion last year, there was a decent representation of cats, dogs and birds in the church but alas this year the representation was somewhat thinner.  Our kids pondered on their various pet options beforehand, and there was some fairly robust discussion about the merits of taking a pet bug, worm or lizard to receive a special blessing.  Likewise whether they could take a photo of their now deceased mice or guinea pigs from a few years ago.  In the end a modicum of sanity prevailed and the kids agreed to just take a photo of their nanna's dog Toby.  

And so it was, that Toby received a long distance blessing and a drop of holy water from Cyprus.  Here's hoping he had a good day back in Australia!