The Blessing of the Animals

Each year, on the Sunday closest to St Francis' Day, neighbors and parishioners gather at the church with their favorite non-human companions to receive the Church's blessing in honor of the saint who loved all of God's creatures.


Emily and her best friend

Emily and cats (second from right is the Rector's cat Skippergee) waiting for the service to start

Somebody isn't paying attention to the service...

Fr Warren reads a portion of poetry ("For I will consider my cat Jeoffry..." )

Blessing

Pomeranian and friend

One cat brave enough to get out of his carrier


In 2006, Jake was uncertain about the whole business

In 2007, he was still reluctant; in 2008 he and Jeoffry (despite "his" poem) abstained entirely