By Nick Thomas
posted
Oct 10, 2012
Photo by Richard Podlesney
Rev. A. Emmerson St. Francis blesses Chance on Sunday, Oct. 7,
2012, at the Blessing of the Animals at Church of Our Saviour in
Killington.
Early each October, churches of various denominations -
predominantly Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran - open their doors
to all creatures great and small to honor St. Francis of Assisi
(ca. 1181-1226), the patron saint of animals. St. Frances is
universally recognized as their spiritual protector and is
remembered with a service known simply as the "Blessing of the
Animals."
Curious about this ceremony, I contacted some clergy around the
country who celebrate this ritual.
"The ceremony is intended to reconnect people with the
importance of animals in their lives and in God's plan of
creation," says Fr. Tim Goldrick, from St. Bernard Catholic Church
in Freetown, "Besides, it's fun!"
From coast to coast, the furry congregations are comprised
mostly of dogs and cats, but fish, snakes, rabbits, horses, goats,
and birds are commonly brought in by devoted owners.
During his 14 years at New York City's St. John the Divine,
Canon Charles Pridemore says he has presided over some big services
with equally big visitors, including elephants and camels.
Along these lines, Director of Liturgy Johan van Parys at St.
Mary's Basilica, Minn., has also experienced some animal
super-sizing. "Several years ago, we had a yak walk down the
center aisle of the church during the parade of animals to begin
the ceremony," he recalled of his woolly visitor.
While some churches prefer to hold an informal animal blessing
outdoors, Rev. June Wilkins at St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Austin, Tx., welcomes animals in the pews. Although the
potential for mayhem and murder may seem inevitable when natural
mortal enemies are thrust closely together, she says few instances
of chaos have occurred. "We have had no accidents, the barking
is at a minimum, and there have been no fights," she says. "They
are better behaved than some of the humans!"
"It never ceases to amaze me that the animals seem to put aside
inter-species issues," adds Geoffrey Brown, Vestry Clerk at Trinity
Episcopal Church, Lime Rock, Conn., who has seen all the animals
remain tranquil throughout their services.
However, Rev. Richard Laribee, of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in
Highland, Md., has a bone to pick about claims of saintly animal
behavior during the ceremony. "I think that's an urban
legend!" he says. "We've had to remove some dogs who were barking
so loudly we couldn't hear ourselves sing."
And occasionally, the non-human 'parishioners' have behaved
like, well, animals.
On the West Coast, Father Hartshorn Murphy at St. Augustine
by-the-Sea Episcopal Church always welcomes the Santa Monica
mounted police unit each year. But during one ceremony, he was on
the verge of drafting them for a search and rescue mission.
"A little girl panicked because she thought her hamster - 'Elvis' -
had escaped his cage," says Fr. Murphy. And with a very
well-satisfied looking snake also in attendance, people began to
fear that temptation had got the better of the serpent.
It seems, however, that Elvis was just 'all shook up' at the
sight of the reptile, for he was eventually discovered cowering
beneath a pile of wood shavings in his cage.
Then too, there's always the odd unruly heckler not yet touched
by the Holy Spirit. Over the years, says Steven Rottgers of
Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Trussville, Ala., he has blessed his
fair share of goats, ducks, gerbils, alligators, pigs and even a
piranha. But during one service it was necessary to seek repentance
for a very vocal myna bird. "The previous owners had taught
the bird to cuss!" he says.
Despite the occasional fall from grace, most critters seem to
put their best foot, hoof or claw forward as they receive their
blessing, and most ministers said they see the service gaining
popularity in their communities.
"I hope we are seeing a movement toward the stewardship of
creation, conservation of endangered species, and care for the
animal kingdom," says Rev. Rottgers. "It's a way to also show
how animals are part of our life as family."
Thomas' features and columns have appeared in more than 200
magazines and newspapers, including the Washington Post, LA Times,
Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, and
Christian Science Monitor.
Tagged:
Along these Lines, Blessing of the Animals
