Holy cats! Bless your beasts this Sunday -- and how to do it at home.
Sit, stay, pray!
Father Joseph, a Franciscan priest with St. Francis Friary, will be blessing all creatures great and small (and of all denominations, we presume) at the Humane Society of Broward County on Sunday, Oct. 5. The celebration is in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, who preached that all creatures deserve our respect and compassion.
Here is Father Joe, getting a blessing of his own from a schnauzer at the 2006 Humane Society ceremony.
The ceremony begins at 3 pm on the east lawn of the shelter, at 2070 Griffin Road, just west of the Interstate 95 exit. All sizes of pets are welcome but must either be in a carrier or on a leash.
Father Joe also will be blessing the animals in the shelter and shelter mascots Tweety the Cat and Oscar the Bird.
Want to do your own blessing at home, or in your church or temple?
Check out Diana Guerrero's Web site, Blessing of the Animals, which is a companion to a book by the same name. I have this book and it's great. But the site, too, will give you a few tips on blessing ceremonies, animal "rites of paw-sage" like cat mitzvahs, and throwing a pet birthday party, as well as offers some readings and prayers.
It also has a promotional video showing awesome blessing ceremonies from around the world and featuring a variety of animals, including elephants and horses.
I recognize, however, that some people are uncomfortable making animals the focus of a religious ceremony. What do you think? Are pet blessings disrepectful,or do they embody what you practice in your faith? How about things like doggy weddings or cat mitzvahs?
Animal blessing photo by Joe Cavaretta, Sun Sentinel.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
I totally believe that it is not only ok, but very fitting, that animals be blessed and be honored in a religious ceremony. I really feel that in this world, we are all one, creatures of the creator and why shouldn't our animals be prayed for, just like we pray for people? In many instances ( most, actually ) animals show more unconditional love, tolerance and honesty than most people, in my opinion. They are neither conniving ( ok, maybe my cat is! ), nor do they kill for sport or have any hidden agendas. How do they not deserve a prayer? On the internet are several pet prayer lines, where prayer teams pray for sick and lost animals ( e.g. google Pet Prayer Line )...if you are still not convinced, also go to Wikipedia and in the search box, put in 'Old Drum,' and you will be able to read a beautiful and famous tribute to the worth of a dog, spoken by a great trial lawyer, George Graham Vest.
Posted by: TJF | October 1, 2008 2:48 PM
I don't see anything wrong blessing our pets.
They are amazing and they always show unconditional love, that we should learn from them.
Posted by: JT | October 1, 2008 4:32 PM
Are there really that many suckers out there?
Posted by: Billy | October 1, 2008 5:20 PM
Yes, Bless the animals.
Billy you sound as if you have issues to deal with.
Posted by: Jerry Scroggin | October 2, 2008 1:07 AM
Beast Blessing Today ONLY, mention this ad and get the blessing for a low discount price of $6.66
Posted by: Dick | October 2, 2008 9:23 AM
Biblically speaking, it is appropriate to bless all animals. God created animals and considers them "good". Jesus' "Cross Event" included animals in the salvation plan as seen in several New Testament passages. Animals have their own relationship with God--so why not document it with a blessing?
Posted by: Norma | October 2, 2008 1:01 PM
As a devout Catholic, I have been taking my pets to be blessed at my church every year. I prayed fervently to St. Francis when my Yorkie ran away. She got out of her harness and had no identification. She was found three days later (3 symbolizes the Trinity you know!) and against all odds, was returned to me safe and soundly. Two years later, I again called on St. Francis when my Yorkie had cancer. She is now cancer free after surgery, no chemo! I absolutely encourage all pet owners to have their pets blessed!!!
Posted by: Carol | October 2, 2008 3:34 PM
Hold on, I'll ask Santas Little Helper and Snow Flake if they are blessed.
Nope, they're only a cat and dog. Neither claimed to be religous and both agreed only an idiot would try to say their pets need religion since they have no idea what the priest is saying or doing.
Posted by: Homer Simpson | October 2, 2008 6:46 PM
This is a something that is held by many Catholic Churches in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.I personally know Father Joe and know he and his church in downtown Ft Laud loves all creatures regardless of lifestyles, backgrounds or pasts...Have a blessed day!!Ohh by the way it doesnt cost anything except your time to the humanes society.
Posted by: JASON | October 3, 2008 10:01 AM
Thanks for mentioning Blessing of the Animals! Although there are some people who are uncomfortable with including animals in ceremonies...the trend is growing.
Personally, I think we could all use as many blessings as we can get!
Posted by: Diana L Guerrero | October 3, 2008 12:48 PM
Wonderful! Father Joe has done an amazing thing! I can't wait to get my dog blessed.. who was a personal gift from St. Francis!! :) In a world of negativity.. I'll take all the positive I can get!
Posted by: Natalie | October 4, 2008 12:11 AM
What about killing and eating animals???...
HOLY ANIMALS???
Posted by: hkjjh | October 15, 2008 8:23 AM