Known for his love of creation and his relationship with animals, the Catholic Church has the custom of blessing animals on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, whose life the Church remembers every year on October 4th. In this brief ritual, people thank God for the companionship and assistance that animals provide to humans, and ask a blessing.
The Blessing of Animals will take place at St. Mary Catholic Church on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Those who bring their cats, dogs, birds, snakes, hamsters, and other pets will gather in the grass on the west side of St. Mary Catholic Community School, near the playground. During the ritual, Father Kevin Huber will proclaim a scripture reading, offer petitions, impart the prayer of blessing, and sprinkle the animals with holy water. Everyone is invited to participate, Catholic and non-Catholic and all animals are welcome. The pastor simply asks that pets are on leashes or are appropriately contained.
St. Mary Parish is a Catholic community built on the foundations of worship, hospitality, service, and education. Located in the historic district of Crown Point, Indiana, this community has provided Christian witness to South Lake County since 1865. Masses are celebrated every weekday at 7:45 am, Saturdays at 4:30 pm and Sundays at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, and 12:00 pm. Everyone is welcome and no reservations are necessary. For more information about St. Mary call 663-0044 or visit online at stmarycp.org.
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