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Californians Bless Beloved Animal Friends

Published on: September 20, 2018

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Each year in early October churches and civic groups conduct a special ceremony called Blessing of the Pets. This custom which often involves a prayer to animals who are gently sprinkled with holy water, began in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi, who loved all creatures.

Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved larks flying about his hilltop town and allowed a displaced donkey to take over his humble hovel. He wrote an ode to God’s living things called a Canticle of the Creatures.

Blessings of the Pets take on many forms in California. Events can attract dozens or even thousands of people such as the annual Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals held on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.

California Pets Are Blessed!

  • BELMONT SHORE: Blessing of the Animals at Granada Beach
  • DANVILLE: Blessing of the Animals Fair at San Damiano Retreat
  • LINCOLN: Blessing of the Pets at St. James Church
  • NEWPORT BEACH: Blessing of the Animals at Lido Park
  • OCEANSIDE: St. Francis Festival – Blessing of the Animals in front of the historic Mission San Luis Rey
  • PACIFIC GROVE: Blessing of the Animals at Berwick Park
  • PASADENA: Blessing of the Pets at All Saints Church
  • SAN BERNARDINO: Blessing of the Animals at Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley
  • SAN FRANCISCO: Blessing of the Animals at Grace Cathedral
  • SARATOGA: Blessing of the Animals at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church
  • SANTA MONICA: Blessing of the Animals at Saint Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
  • SANTA ROSA: Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery Visitors Center
  • THOUSAND OAKS: Blessing of the Animals at Ascension Lutheran Church
  • WINDSOR: Blessing of the Animals at Our Lady of Guadalupe
  • WOODLAND HILLS: Blessing of the Animals at St. Mel Parish
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