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Animals Receive Blessing In New York Church
Animals Receive Blessing In New York Church
4 October is the feast day on which many Christians celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi. On that day, there was a Noah’s Ark worth of animals gathered on the New York City's Upper West Side.
The beasts were at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine to celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis and Blessing of the Animals. They ranged in size from a camel named Azuri to several Madagascar cockroaches, all there to receive benediction from church officials. Most of the more exotic animals were supplied by the Dawn Animal Agency and Sanctuary, which provided 40 animals for the procession, but many churchgoers also brought their household pets. During the festival all animals are welcomed into the church for service.
After the service, clergy members stayed on the grounds outside to individually bless New York’s four-legged residents. “In New York, people tend to live by themselves,” Rev. Victoria Sirota told The Huffington Post, between blessing a Chihuahua in an Angry Birds hat and two frogs brought by a small boy. “So the pet often really represents the love of God in the household, a welcoming, beautiful presence.” Unfortunately for Sirota, serious allergies prevent her from having her own pets. “I’ve taken all the antihistamines and decongestants I can and I have to keep wiping my hands off with Purell,” she says with a laugh, “but it works just fine.”
One of the kindest ways to bless animals is to resolve to eat fewer of them. Farmed animals are also intelligent, sentient beings, after all. On your next feast day, whatever you're celebrating, do so compassionately! We can help at http://KindMeal.my.
Source: http://goo.gl/D2EI2x
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