St. Paul’s Episcopal Church pet blessings honoring St. Francis

On Sunday, October 1st, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church offered members blessings for pets in honor of St. Francis. This is an annual celebration for the church where the congregation can strengthen their bond with their pets.

Rev. Maggie Nancarrow, said people could bring their pets on a leash or a carrier for the blessing. “Many people have told me the relationships with their pets have been more healing than any relationship with a human being could be. These are really crucial and valuable creatures to us,” Rev. Nancarrow said. “On Saint Francis Day, we celebrate them and we give them blessings”

People could even bring in a photo of their pet to receive a blessing if they could not attend. “Sometimes people, keep the ashes, they will bring the ashes. And we say a slightly different blessing for that,” Rev. Nancarrow said. “But this is also a really important time for people who have lost an animal that they really love to have a prayer and a blessing.”

On October 15th, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will be celebrating the Feast of Saint Luke. “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, actually founded St. Luke’s Hospital,” Rev. Nancarrow said. “One of the things we do, in honor of Saint Luke, who was a doctor and a healer, we give thanks for and give a blessing for all of the health care workers in our community.”

For more information about St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s events you can look here. For other stories with pets you can read more here.