By Shelby Siegfried
for the Register
On the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, creatures of all sizes, from cuddly kittens to howling hounds, congregated for a special blessing on the steps of St. Patrick Church in McCook.
Though the gathering was predominantly composed of well-behaved canines, a variety of God’s creations made their appearance. While the tradition of bestowing blessings upon animals has long accompanied this feast day, this particular service held a special significance for some attendees, including a litter of puppies and a young turtle, who received their very first blessings.
St. Patrick’s pastor, Father Bernard Kimminau, highlighted the connection between St. Francis’s love for animals and his profound reverence for the entirety of creation, stemming from his deep devotion to God as the ultimate creator.
“We remember that St. Francis loved animals, but he also loved all of creation because of his love for God – the Creator,” Kimminau said.
The celebration included prayers, readings, a sprinkling of holy water, and the pet blessing prayer asking God to “Grant that these animals may serve our needs and that your bounty in the resources of this life may move us to seek more confidently the goal of eternal life.”
For the children in attendance, it was a source of immense joy to have their cherished pets blessed, knowing they would carry that added blessing with them throughout the year. Both the children and their families look forward to this annual event.
As Caroline Haag, a St. Patrick student and proud cat owner, aptly put it, “They’re a part of the family, so they need a blessing, too.”
SNR photos | Shelby Siegfried
