More Pet Blessing Events

Tennessee: The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer will celebrate a pet blessing on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Chicago, IL: Hope United Church of Christ in Naperville will incorporate its pet blessing into its weekly worship service to be held at its Ministry Center.

Father Tom Johnson of Angelican Church of the Resurrection will be at The Casper Wyoming Humane Society on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. to perform this annual “Blessing of the Animals.”

Ohio: A blessing of the animals will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Immaculate Conception Church. Sponsored by the Alley Cat Aid Brigade, the event is free and open to the public, with all participants to be given a St. Francis medal.

At 4.30 pm St Christopher Church in Lyford Cay will be having their 'St Francis of Assisi Day and Blessing of the Animals'. The service is the brainchild of the Bahamas Humane Society and parishioners at St Christopher Church, to commemorate World Animal Day.

Last year, events were held in 66 countries in celebration of World Animal Day.

Officiating the service will be Father Keith Cartwright, archdeacon of the Southern Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands. Father Cartwright is also a member of the Bahamas Humane Society board.

Cathedral of St John the Divine Blessing of the Animals

The annual procession at the Cathedral of St John the Divine. Animals will include a yak, a tortoise, baby swans, and a macaw. Animals can be blessed on the Close, where the Cathedral’s annual Saint Francis Day Fair will also be held. The Fair’s themes celebrate the natural world, compassion, and stewardship.

Blessing of the Animals will take place on Sunday, October 4, 11 am Service, followed by a Fair at 1 pm.

Members of the Congregation: please call 212.316.7483 for tickets to the Service.

Friends and Members of the Public: There are no more advance tickets for the service. Tickets will be distributed on a first come first served basis at 9 am, one pass per person. Please call 212.316.7490 for more information.

Please Sponsor St. Francis Day: The Cathedral needs your help! For information on Sponsorship and Sponsorship Tickets for the Service, please call 212.316.7488

Blessing of the Animals Events 2009

American Catholic lists 2009 Blessing of the Animals events.

Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3:30 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Detroit Lakes

St. John's Episcopal Church, Blessing of the Animals with musical guests in Wintergreen, 4:30 p.m. 35 Park St., Williamstown. Info: 413-458-8144.

St. Mary's Episcopal Church invites all Cape Ann pets to the annual blessing Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m., at Millbrook Meadow.

Imlay City: Blessing of the Animals will take place at the First Congregational U.C.C., 255 Bancroft St., at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will be hosting their annual Blessing of the Animals Sunday beginning at 3 p.m.

SPCA Auckland's annual Blessing of the Animals service is to take place on Sunday 4th October at the Church of St Matthew-In-The- City, commencing at 1.00 pm.

Blessing of the Animals at St. Luke's Anglican School and Church on Friday at 8:30 a.m., 350 W. Yosemite Ave. Call (209) 723-3907 or (209) 383-1888.

NY Blessing of the Animals Events

Although many celebrations have already taken place, October 4th is World Animal day and the Feast of St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals.

Two events happening near Manhattan include the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 1047 Amserdam Avenue or downtown visit the Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on 154 Sullivan Street.

Dog Days in Los Angeles, California

Just thought you might want to check out the photos from the Dog Days in Los Angeles, California.

Dog Wedding Breaks Record

Another mass pet wedding took place and I thought you might want to see this clip.

Blessing of the Horses Canceled 1st Time in 79 Years!

One of the California traditions has been the Blessing of the Horses at the Santa Inez Mission and I wrote about the event in Blessing of the Animals.

I just read that for the first time in 79 years, the Rancheros Visitadores’ traditional ride to the Santa Ines Mission for the blessing of the riders has been canceled.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Rancheros official John Balch said that a new owner of one of the properties that the riders need to cross has refused permission, though he hopes the ride can be resumed next year.

“We depend on the graciousness and generosity of the Valley landowners,” Balch said. “We greatly value those good relationships. However, this year the ride to the Mission and the parade had to be canceled.”

The group of hundreds of riders is still planning to camp from May 1 through May 8 at the Janeway property owned by the Visitadores, he said, but there will be no public parade. Last year, that included herding cattle up Alisal Road on the way to the mission.

Wow, what a blow to those who look forward to the event every year. If you'd like to read more commentary, view pictures or video of the Rancheros Vistadores click here.