Blessing the Beasts

Because of his deep love for nature and all God's creatures, St. Francis of Assisi is known as the patron saint of the birds and animals he called his "brothers and sisters."

In honor of the feast day of St. Francis, which falls on October 4, all creatures great and small (and their people) are welcome to a Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 2 at Grace Episcopal Church in Lopez Village.

A short, non-liturgical service at 10:00 a.m. will be followed by the Blessing of the Animals, conducted by The Rev. Dr. Colin Goode, Vicar of Grace Church. After a reception in the fellowship hall, everyone wishing to take part in Holy Communion can return to the church.

All animals are welcome, no matter what size or species. Well-mannered, housebroken pets on leashes and pets in carriers may be brought into the church. Weather permitting, the blessing will take place outside for larger beasts such as horses and other outdoorsy or rambunctious animals. Portable kennels and corrals will be set up for them.

The Blessing of the Animals is a tradition in a number of churches, including Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist. Such a service was held years ago at the former Grace Church building on Humphrey Head, and Fr. Goode staged the Blessing at his previous parish in Vancouver, B.C. Lopez veterinarian Dr. Jerry Scherzinger, of the Ark Veterinary Clinic, and his wife, Claudia Bradley, are the folks behind the revival of the family-friendly service here.

The bond between people and animals has existed since the first time a human threw a bone to the wild dog lurking at the entrance to his cave, or climbed onto the back of a horse, or felt a wild cat rub against his leg. The Egyptians believed that gods assumed the forms of animals, and mummified thousands of jackals, cats, hamsters, ibises, snakes, lizards, gazelles, baboons, crocodiles--almost every animal they knew. Animal burial was common in past cultures, and still is today. Herdsmen and farmers have lived in relationship with camels, llamas, elephants, and water buffalo for millennia.

There are more than 65 million pet dogs and 77.6 million pet cats in the United States; 39 percent of households own at least one dog, and 34 percent at least one cat. Animals help us do our work, alert us to danger, provide companionship, and even improve our health. The Blessing of the Animals is a way to celebrate and offer thanks for the presence of creatures in our lives.

The Humane Society of the United States and other groups working in the coastal areas hit by Hurricane Katrina have so far rescued nearly 5,000 animals and reunited hundreds with their owners. They have set up temporary animal shelters and are placing food and water at feeding stations to help those animals still at large to survive.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.