Annual North Shore Blessing of the Animals, Saturday, Oct. 5

DANVERS, MA -- All Saints Episcopal Church, and it's Perfect Paws Pet Ministry outreach, will offer the 16th annual North Shore Blessing of the Animals, a beloved tradition for the north of Boston communities, on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 1 to 3 p.m., rain or shine.

The Blessing of the Animals celebrates St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, whose love for all creatures was legendary. Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, "loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey," according to Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, who is a Franciscan.

The feast day of St. Francis -- who was born in the 12th century and is also known as the patron saint of the environment -- commemorates his life and is frequently marked by animal blessings at churches throughout the world. St. Francis referred to all animals as "brother and sister creatures."

So bring your dogs, cats, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs and even your fish for a sweet, loving, hands-on blessing by the Rev. Marya DeCarlen, rector of All Saints North Shore. Rev. DeCarlen will also bless photographs of animals who are unable to attend because of temperament or because they have died, and she will offer prayers for healing and comfort for animals who are sick.

Our animal friends are a blessing to us. It is so fitting that once a year we can offer them a blessing as well.

The event is on the church "green," across from Danvers Town Hall, from 1 to 3 p.m., rain or shine.