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A Few Clouds A holy day for pets
St. Christopher’s plays host to creatures both four-legged and two-legged at annual blessing
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Father Brandon O’Brien gave the blessings to Maggie and Diana Connan.
Photos by Maureen Lennon/Herald
Sassy almost hides the face of her owner, Angus Moran. The two were at St. Christopher’s on Sunday for the blessing of the animals.
Rachel Wilson, center, is flanked by Laurie Gunn with Nigel, 7, left, and, Maryann Wilson, who is holding Biscuit, 13. The women have been bringing their pets in for the annual blessing for years.
Bobbie Maio holds her new kitten, a Persian Dear Heart Chinchilla. The 9-week-old kitten still doesn’t have a name.
Marie Guillaum’s dog, Moogley, get his blessing from Deacon Tony Banno of St. Christopher’s.
The fur was flying at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church last weekend as animals and the humans who love them came in for the annual blessing of the pets.
The ceremony is held in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi, who is noted for his love for all creatures.
Francis, whose feast day is Oct. 4, wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living creations, that reads, “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.”
Francis, who founded the Catholic Church’s Franciscan order, lived in Italy during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He is remembered for his generosity and his willingness to minister to lepers.
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