The Blessing of Animals in Honor of St. Francis of Assisi
The Blessing of Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day was October 4, took place at St. Helena Catholic Church, 1315 Olmstead Ave., Bronx. Live animals were blessed in the parking lot, while stuffed animals were blessed during the 10:30 am Family Mass and the NOON Spanish Mass. Many churches in the United States celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on October 4 or on the Sunday closest to that day each year. The feast commemorates the life of St Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. It is a popular day for pets to be “blessed”. Many children in the USA bring their pets to the church to be blessed on St Francis’ feast day because of his love for animals as expressed in his Canticle of Creatures.
The Blessing of Animals in Honor of St. Francis of Assisi
Stuffed Animal
Contact: Rev. David Powers, Sch.P.
718-892-3232
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