Blessing of the Animals at Boston Church

Members of the community can bring their pets to the annual “Blessing of the Animals” on Saturday at St. Anthony Shrine and Ministry Center in Boston’s Downtown Crossing.

Any domestic pet can be blessed including dogs, cats, hamsters and fish as long as the animals are leashed, crated and well-behaved.

The blessings start at 2 p.m. outside of the church, 100 Arch St., in front of the shrine.

Friar Barry Langley will hold a brief ceremony before he blesses the animals in attendance. Every animal will be blessed by name and will be given a certificate of their blessing.

The blessings are in celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, The Patron Saint of Animals. Francis saw animals as God’s creatures, prayed that God would work through him to help animals as well as people.

For more information, email Nicole Aucoin or call (617) 426-0590.

Photo Credit: Paige McAtee