Animals blessed at service

Pastor Pati Mary Andrews of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Catlett, began the Celebration in Thanksgiving for Animals on by saying, “Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures.” Andrews was conducting a special service on Oct. 2 that has been in place for hundreds of years.

“St. Francis of Assisi is known as the patron saint of animals,” Andrews explained. “There are stories told that say animals came to him as he preached his sermons, including birds that perched on his outstretched arms.” She said it is customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to animal-blessing ceremonies on Oct. 4 or the closest weekend day.

St. Stephen’s Oct. 2 ceremony was held in the church garden dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. A statue of St. Francis, which is surrounded by beautifully manicured flowers and plants, stands in the garden.

Before the service, Andrews said the church garden is a perfect place to honor animals. “This church,” she declared, “is situated in the middle of dairy farms. We are surrounded by farmers who make cheese, along with locals who participate in the weaving of fabrics as part of 4-H projects and we see youngsters who grow up here raising their own steers.”

The majority of people who attended the event were St. Stephen’s members. Megan Jersey, of Warrenton, brought her two dogs to be blessed because she was “worried about their health.”

Read the full story in the print version of The Bull Run Observer.