In honor of St. Francis, multitude of creatures blessed

The Rev. John Schmeidler douses a turkey with holy water as it is held by its owner, Jedzia Hicklin, 11, outside St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Jedzia and other students from St. John’s, as well as community members, brought their animals to the church Friday to be blessed in recognition of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is Sunday.

St. John's Church blesses pets

The lawn of St. John's Catholic Church was full of animals Friday, as people brought their pets to be blessed. Enlarge video

The lawn of St. John’s Catholic Church and School was filled Friday afternoon with dogs, cats, rabbits — and even a turkey.

Students and parishioners took their pets to the church to be blessed during the celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Father John Schmeidler said St. Francis was known for his love of all things in God’s creation and as a person who cared for animals. Students also have been celebrating the life of St. Francis by collecting items for the Lawrence Humane Society that they will donate next week.

Catholic churches around the nation perform blessing ceremonies for pets in conjunction with the feast of St. Francis on Oct. 4.

In his Capuchin Franciscan robe, Schmeidler moved through the crowd of people and pets, asking each owner the pet’s name before blessing it with holy water.

More than 30 pets were blessed Friday. They ranged from small lizards and turtles to ferrets, cats and dogs of all sizes.

Crosby Dold, a student at St. John’s, her father, Scott, and sister Kennedy brought their 2-year-old Newfoundland dog, Mulan, to be blessed.

Crosby said Mulan had been blessed last year, but she wanted to bring her again so that “she can get a fresh start.”

Jim McDonald, Lawrence, accompanied Winston, the family’s 5-year-old bulldog. McDonald’s daughter Bailey is a third-grader at the school.

He said he thought having Winston blessed would be fun for Bailey and also a good thing for the community of the school.

A sense of community also was important to Ben Hill, a St. John’s fifth-grader. After his Dutch rabbit Amelia was blessed, he said, “She’s in our Catholic family now.”

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thetagger (anonymous) says…

Remember: all dogs go to heaven. http://bit.ly/jjzwA
October 3, 2009 at 7:21 a.m.
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…

Cute; the world would be a better place if more of us could emulate St. Francis.
October 3, 2009 at 8:17 a.m.
zstoltenberg (anonymous) says…

Again, one of the more bizarre practices of what I considder a cult.
October 3, 2009 at 8:19 a.m.
mrf (anonymous) says…

If I don't get my cat blessed, does that mean he's going to hell?
October 3, 2009 at 11:10 a.m.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…

Some people are just ignorant like zstoltenberg.
October 3, 2009 at 11:14 a.m.
yankeelady (anonymous) says…

All cats go to heaven too. All our furry friends will be waiting for us when we arrive.
October 3, 2009 at 11:22 a.m.
notwhatyourthink (anonymous) says…

I bless my turkey too. Every year just before we eat in late November.
October 3, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.
artichokeheart (anonymous) says…

A animal is blessed when someone loves and cares for them. Consider a visit to your local shelter.
October 3, 2009 at 11:52 a.m.