The Blessing Of The Animals
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
October 4, 2008 1:12am CST
Today is October 4th which is known as St. Francis of Assisi Day.. a Catholic day, however one doesn't have to be Catholic to celebrate another aspect of October 4th, which is known as the Blessing of The Animals Day.
Many Christian churches, both Catholic and other denominations open there doors on this day not only for humans but especially for the animals....the furbabies, the winged, even reptilian "babies" owned by us humans to be blessed. I remember years ago, I saw a broadcast of this event in the huge church here in NY, St. John the Divine...people brought in their cats, dogs, birds, there were even a few people with their pet snakes...yikes someone even brought an elephant in that was part of a circus show to be blessed.
IF you wish to read up more about The Blessing of The Animals day, here is this link
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/blessing.asp
At that link is the "official" prayer for one's pet
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
If you're Christian..Does your church celebrate The Blessing of The Animals Day?
No matter what your faith is...do you see you're animal companions as a blessing in your life? Do you "bless" your furbabies in your own way, even if you don't "formally" bring your pets to a church on this Blessing of the Animals day? Do you do something special for your "baby" (or babies) this day to let them know how much joy they bring into your life?
Think I'll give my two babies, Pyewacket and Kissy some special treat today...Like albacore solid white tuna...heck I don't even have that for myself much!
{Warning: The link is NOT a referral link but a link about The Blessing Of The Animals day}
{Warning: The link is NOT a referral link but a link about The Blessing Of The Animals day}3 people like this
13 responses
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
4 Oct 08
When I was still in my church and had a LOT fewer cats, I once took my pets - well - not Mandy - to get blessed at my church. I didn't take Mandy not because I didn't want him blessed, but because he was so feral I didn't want to tramatize him.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Aww--that was sweet that you did take your kitties to be blessed (except for Mandy)---I've never taken mine since even as a kid growing up and having cats, they never had the Blessing of the Animals thing in any of the churches near me
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
14 Oct 08
I never heard of this day. Thank you so much for letting us know about it. I am going to mark it on my calendar for next year so I don't miss it. I knew that there was a Patron Saint for animals, but I never knew what date the day was for it.
Thanks again!
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
I actually kind of bless my two babies everyday as they are a real special part of my life
@littleowl (7157)
•
6 Oct 08
Hi Pye I didn't know that oct'4th was Blessings of the Animals day. But I think of my dogs as my bavies and am always treating them..they are spoiled really...though a while ack I went to my local church to speak to the pastor and having my dogs with me I told them to stay while I went inside but the pastor said no they are quite welcome even if you want to come in for some contemplation...to me I thought it was a wonderful thing and felt free to be able to to enter there without fear my dogs might be shunned...so yes I count my dogs a blessing and wouldn't be without them they will be spoiled on boxing day too it's there 12th birthday though you wouldn't think they are they still think thamselves as 5yrs old...bb littleowl
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Oct 08
My two kitties are spoiled too..LOL. But they are truly my family and love them...and they know it. That was nice of your pastor to allow your dogs into the church.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
4 Oct 08
My church does NOT celebrate the Blessing of The Animals Day. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!!! Pyewacket & Kissy are lucky for their gift. I adopted 2 little furbabies aka kittens about 3 months ago. They have blessed my life soooo much. They have been very loving kitties from day one. Now at about 6 months old, they crave a lot of attention!!! So, today I allowed my babies to lay in my lap & I doted on them ALL day!!! Now I fear that they will expect the same treatment come tomorrow. Today I made the time. Tomorrow I don't think either of us will be that lucky!!! 
They have been very loving kitties from day one. Now at about 6 months old, they crave a lot of attention!!! So, today I allowed my babies to lay in my lap & I doted on them ALL day!!! Now I fear that they will expect the same treatment come tomorrow. Today I made the time. Tomorrow I don't think either of us will be that lucky!!! 1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
I never recall any of the churches having a special Blessing of the Animals day near me in all the years I've grown up here. But I think in a way I bless my two furbabies everyday...after all they KNOW they are pampered brats..heehee...I got some ham to give them as a special treat today
Yup,...you just might have started something and your kitties will now expect the same attention all the time...LOL
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Just have to ask....do you celebrate your "babies: birthdays? Yup, I do that too, in fact my Kissy's birthday is coming up Oct. 20th and I usually get some special treat whenever it's my kitties birthdays..LOL..She's going to be nine years old
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
4 Oct 08
NOT SURE whether to thank you or curse you!!! I know this day was rapidly coming even without their SPECIAL day. I am a notorious spoiler. I had been prolonging the inevitable. Oops, just discussed it with my little ones, they say THANK YOU!!! 
I know this day was rapidly coming even without their SPECIAL day. I am a notorious spoiler. I had been prolonging the inevitable. Oops, just discussed it with my little ones, they say THANK YOU!!! 
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
5 Oct 08
The church I used to belong to did this. Was actually my favorite service, to see all the cats, dogs, birds and ever a few mice, rats and ferrets. Thay are part of our families and in some cases, our best friends. It is wonderful to see them recognized and blessed by the church.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Oct 08
Since I live alone now, I especially think of my two kitties as my best friends and family...
Is that your kitty in the avatar??
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
5 Oct 08
Yes, that's one of my cats ~ Buttons. I have another cat, and two chihuahuas as well. My pets have always been family to me as well, no matter what, they are unwaivering in love, friendship and loyalty. There are pictures of them on my profile page. Hope you and your kitties have a wonderful weekend!
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
4 Oct 08
We have a Church Downtown Minneapolis that also Blesses animals of all sorts
on this day. They also do this at their Midnight Mass on Chrsitmas Eve/Day.
There have been cows, horses, snakes, and the usual cats, dogs, hamsters etc.
I think this is great for pet owners that are very religious.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Goodness...do all the different types of animals behave and get along on those days? LOL. I really think it's a nice way to remember our animal friends by having such a day like this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
4 Oct 08
I don't remember there is a ceremony like that in my homeland but then again it's been some time since I go to church and being active in it. I only know each Martyr has their own celebration day and usually they conduct special ceremony on that day, a small mass in the morning people attend before going to work.
I also remember some martyrs stories from Sunday school and yes St Francis of Asisi the founder of Fransiscan order is said to love all living beings and had left his wealthy life and inheritance for God.
I have been taking time away from religion I am trying to open my mind to accept people for what they are and nothing else so I will not bring my pet for blessing
I love my pet so much I keep her safe with me indoor and pay close attention to her food and her reaction to it, that's all I do
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
I'm not really up on saint's day either as I'm not Catholic, although I was baptized as one...I just always remember the Blessing of the Animals day which I think is a nice gesture to remember not only our pets, but animals in general, don't you think?
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
4 Oct 08
Hi pye,
Yes I know St. Francis of Assisi is an Saint for animals as I was brought as a Catholic, so today I have lit a candle and done some healing on bout my cats, Thomas is not feeling too well as he was sick earlier, but they now both asleep as its raining outside and they won't go out when its raining. Thank you for that little prayer, though I'm no longer a christain but believe in God, it helps to pray.
Bright Blessings
Tamara
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
aww..I hope Thomas feels better. I'm of the pagan/wiccan path myself...that prayer could be changed to one more suitable for our beliefs, right?
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Hey pye! Oh no! I didn't know that it was today! I better
bless my babies! I will have to get them some special
treat too! They are the most important things in my life
that's for sure! I will say that blessing to them both!
I may have to do it one at a time unless I do it while
they both are eating because it's hard to get them in the
same place at the same time unless they are both sleeping
on the bed together or eating dinner together. Silly boys
they are! Well please send Pyewacket and Kissy my regards
on this very special day! I would take Star & Luna to
church, but there isn't one close enough that I think I
could get to and Luna would never be able to behave long
enough I'm afraid! He's kind of scary and get's scared
and then hisses like a snake! Don't want him scaring all
the other pets! Thanks so much for telling me. I know
all about this special day I just didn't know that it was
today!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
I think my two kitties, especially Kissy would be terrified..she's such a timid thing and hides when people come to visit me...so the idea of taking her to a church filled with people and other pets would probably drive her to panic mode all together. I did go out and grocery shop today...got some ham for them which they love...LOL
@wiseshopping1 (679)
• China
4 Oct 08
oh, interesting, we don't have such religion belief in china. i learned alot from here.thanks
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
That's a shame...they should have a day set aside to bless animals there
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
4 Oct 08
{{pye}}, I didn't realize that it was today!! Thank you for alerting us so that
we all may indeed bless our animals...Lord knows I dearly love all five of mine;
thank you so much!!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
I bought some deli ham for my two babies as a special treat...they love it. Aren't they deprived? Heehee
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Oh, my, I haven't thought about this for years. When I was growing up, though, we did celebrate it. There was a ceremony after Mass of the day - and those were the days when the priests said Mass at 5 am, 7 am, 9 am, noon, 4 pm and 5 pm daily, and heard confessions every afternoon. Later, they just had a special ceremony once during the day, but I haven't heard of a church in our community doing it for years now.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Oct 08
I'm not aware of any churches near me having this blessing day for animals either...but at least I've always been aware of this particular day. Heck one can bless one's pets themselves I think, why not? LOL
