Tail-Wagging Pets Gather at Malate Church for Blessing by Priests During St. Francis Celebration

On October 4, Catholics celebrated the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology, with special blessings for pets at Malate Church in Manila. Parishioners brought their animals—mostly dogs, but also cats and a snail—to receive blessings from Father Leonito Distor as an expression of gratitude for the love and companionship that pets offer. The event included a line where pet owners patiently waited for holy water to be sprinkled on their beloved companions. The church also provided free pet vaccinations, emphasizing the importance of caring for all of God’s creations.