All Saints' Holds Ceremony of Roses and Blessing of the Animals

It was a perfect first Saturday in October -- the traditional day for All Saints North Shore to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis – patron saint of animals and the environment.

In a two-part ceremony to honor the animals who have shared and informed our lives, memorial stones and pet urns were laid in the St. Francis Garden, and then, everyone was welcome with their pets to the traditional north shore Blessing of the Animals, which this year marked its 18th anniversary.

For those who gathered October 2, at 12:30 pm to remember beloved animal friends who have died, the first “Ceremony of the Roses,” in the St. Francis Garden, was a poignant and loving tribute to the lives and spirits of creatures who have helped us live better lives as humans – surrounded by their unconditional love and devotion.

Under a beautiful blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds, the ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Marya DeCarlen, rector, and The Rev. Brett Johnson, deacon, and featured the voice and guitar of Steve O’Connell. With a short, appreciative liturgy, and the distribution of roses to those attending, people laid memorial stones and urns sealed with pet cremains in the garden of eternal rest, some placing scarlet roses alongside. The ceremony was offered on Facebook Live and may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/PerfectPawsMinistry/videos/1232489350598884.

In late spring, we plan to offer another "Ceremony of the Roses" for additional people who purchase memorial stones and urns to remember their beloved pets. We expect to make the "Ceremony of the Roses" a bi-annual event, also occurring before our annual, north shore Blessing of the Animals. Information on the stones and urns and an order form may be found here: https://allsaintsepiscopalnorthshore.org/st-francis-garden#3c900761-1b44-4c3a-85fe-dfa588bcb89d. Proceeds go towards maintaining the garden.

Immediately following the “Ceremony of the Roses,” Rev. Marya DeCarlen greeted people and their pets in front of the All Saints steps and offered hands-on blessings for all the animals and prayers for pet friends who could not be there due to temperament, geography, or those deceased.

Thanks to the generosity of all who came and donated pet food donations supplies, Perfect Paws Ministry collected two heaping red wagons full of dog and cat supplies for the People to People Food Pantry.