The Blessing of the Animals at St. John the Divine in New York has been a popular tradition – and a spectacle – for nearly 25 years.

Francis of Assisi arranged the first live nativity scene in 1223 in Greccio. As the patron saint of animals, his affection for animals lives on in the many pet blessings hosted by North American seminaries and churches each year.

For example, every Oct. 4 (the Saint’s Feast Day, naturally), a menagerie of furry, clawed, hooved, and occasionally scaly creatures gathers outside the entrance of Sweeney Chapel at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis, Indiana, (with their people, of course). Members of the seminary community, friends, and neighbors, bring pets for this joyful – if sometimes chaotic – occasion.

President David Mellott instituted the tradition soon after he took office in 2019. The 2020 animal blessing, like so many events that year, was on Zoom (the silver lining: Less portable pets, including a faculty member’s parrot, were able to attend.)

“Some people experience spirituality through their pets and encounters with God’s creation,” writes Jessica L. Anschutz, associate director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Seminary, in its Leading Ideas newsletter.

Anschutz offers advice for animal blessing organizers. First, animals that are anxious, difficult to transport, or challenging around others should stay home (owners can present a photo). Second, publicize the event in places where animal lovers congregate.

“An animal blessing is a wonderful opportunity to invite those who have not been in worship in a while, as well as those who are unchurched,” she writes.

Verbatim

“Many of these motorcyclists come to ask for God’s protection through Our Lady for their trips, but they also come to remember those who already have left, who already have died – many of them in accidents – and those who are hurt, those who need help.”

— Father Carlos Cabecinhas, rector of Portugal’s Our Lady of Fatima shrine, where an estimated 180,000 motorcyclists gathered on September 22 for the ninth annual Pilgrimage of the Blessing of Helmets. (Associated Press, Sept. 22, 2024)