Blessing of the Animals Held to Honor St. Francis of Assisi
HARBERT — On Saturday, October 3, pets received blessings at The Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Harbert and Paws for Humanity in Three Oaks to honor St. Francis of Assisi, recognized as the patron saint of animals and the environment.
Rev. Karen Joy Kelly led the Blessing of the Animals at the Church of the Mediator, offering a heartfelt prayer acknowledging God’s creation and the responsibility bestowed upon humanity to care for all living things. The prayer emphasized admiration for animals’ beauty, intelligence, and strength, invoking a call for respectful and wise stewardship over them.
At Paws for Humanity, Rev. Brian Hastings engaged the gathering, which included various pets, in a discussion about the spiritual connection pet owners share with their animals. He highlighted the idea that pets embody a sense of divine presence akin to that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, suggesting that expressing love for pets is a form of prayer.
The event also celebrated the recent birth of a baby alpaca, adding to the joyful atmosphere of the day.
