Be they iguanas, dogs, cats, fish or hedgehogs — like this little fellow from last year’s blessing — or any other of “God’s creatures,” Baristaville’s non-human residents are all welcome at the Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair (46 Park Street), this Sunday, 12/26, for the annual “Blessing of the Animals” ceremony, at 10 a.m.
The ceremony honors St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, merchants and ecology. For thousands of years, the Roman Catholic church has conducted a Blessing of the Animals on St. Francis’ Feast Day (in October), but other religions — including Anglicans and Presbyterians — have adopted this ceremony over the past two decades as a way to honor all of God’s creatures.
During Central Presbyterian’s ceremony, the Rev. Johnson will read from the Book of Genesis and will bless each attending animal individually.
To see a short video documentary by Iconostar Productions about similar ceremonies in other parts of the United States, click here.
Photo credit to Darlene Sneden.
