The Blessing of the Animals |
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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. |
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 A little priestly reassurance Photo by Zaiga Alksnitis |
 Let's see, the sign says "Blessing..." |
 Fr. Warren's cat Max is second from right. Jake and Jeoffry did not attend. |
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 Emily and her toy wait for the service to start |
 Fr Warren reads from the Fioretti ("Little Flowers") of St Francis |
 Prayers, under the watchful eye of a hulking giant - a "small" Great Dane |
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 Blessing the cats |
 Blessing the gigantic dog |
 Breaking up the cat-dog monopoly: a ferret |
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 In 2006, Jake was uncertain about the whole business  In 2007, he was still reluctant; in 2008 he and Jeoffry abstained entirely  |
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