CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Family pets have had another moment in the spotlight this week at churches all across the Archdiocese of Chicago, as religious leaders have led pet blessing ceremonies in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment, and through Oct. 8, local churches are continuing a tradition of blessing any four-legged, two-legged, or even slithering family members.
Father Greg Sakowicz, of Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral, said the tradition dates back several centuries.
“I really look forward to it,” Sakowicz said. “People come out. They bring their dogs, their cats, their canaries. The most unique creature of God I’ve ever blessed was a tarantula … after the blessing, he got out of his little cage and scared the heck out of a lot of people trying to run around the grounds.”
Sakowicz said the ceremonies, which are often outdoors on church grounds, can last as long as an hour or as little as 15 minutes.
“It amazes me how many people show up,” he said. “I’ve done pet blessings in the rain, and people have shown up with their animals, with umbrellas and ponchos, and they come because they have such a love for their animals.”
Sister Mary Ann McKeogh, of St. Michael’s in Old Town, said she believes the ceremonies help solidify that pets are part of an owner’s life and family.
“I think it brings a validity for how important animals can be in our lives,” she said. “Especially for children … it seems kind of like a comfort, animals, or it’s something they feel secure with. We want to bring validity to that, and having this pet blessing makes them feel good, too.”
In the past, St. Michael’s has even blessed police horses, McKeogh said.
Sakowicz said that these ceremonies also have a role in furthering the conversation of humankind’s responsibility to protect the environment. Sakowicz, who’s been a bird-watcher for 60 years and even raises canaries, said he’s seen the decline in bird populations due to loss of habitat.
“You look at the world we have: the trees, the grass, the oceans, the waters … St. Francis said the earth is a gift from God; take care of the earth and all upon it, all the people, all the animals, and the land itself,” Sakowicz said.
The Archdiocese of Chicago has more information about pet blessing ceremonies on its website.
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