Blessing of the Animals October 3 to Celebrate St. Francis Day

Saint Francis of Assisi, born around 1181, was a Catholic friar, deacon, mystic, and preacher. Pope Gregory IX canonized Francis on 16 July 1228. He later became associated with patronage of animals and the natural environment, and it became customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on or near his feast day of 4 October. (Wikipedia)  

Bring your pet(s) to St. Raphael’s on Sunday, October 3, at 4 p.m. for our Blessing of the Animals service outdoors in the chapel near the columbarium. Please keep pets leashed or contained, especially if they may be inclined to interact with the other pets in an unruly way. Pets of all kinds are welcome, from goldfish, lizards, and hedgehogs to more typically blessed cats and dogs. If light rain, the service will continue as planned. Storms or heavy rain may require us to cancel.