Wednesday, September 29, 1999

Web site spreads blessings for pets

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BY JULIE IRWIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        Know of a collie in Colorado who could use a little extra help these days? How about a terrier in Texas, or a Siamese in Singapore? You're in luck.

PET BLESSINGS

Saturday   • Delhi Township: St. Simon the Apostle Church, 825 Pontius Road (in front of Plagge Hall), noon   • Centerville: St. Francis of Assisi, 6245 Wilmington Pike, 11 a.m.   • Downtown: Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., (blessing at Lytle Park), 4 p.m.   Sunday   • Madeira: St. Gertrude Church, 7630 Shawnee Run Road, 2 p.m.   • Over-the-Rhine: St. Francis Seraph Church, Liberty and Vine streets, 2 p.m.   Monday   • Dayton, Ky.: St. Bernard Church, Fifth and Berry streets, 10 a.m.   • Anderson Township: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 7820 Beechmont Ave., 7 p.m.   Tuesday   • St. Bernard: St. Clement Church, 4534 Vine St., 7:30 p.m.

        Cincinnati-based St. Anthony Messenger Press is making it easy for pet lovers to find pet-blessing ceremonies across the U.S. in time for Monday's Feast of St. Francis.

        Their Web site — www.AmericanCatholic.org — has an extensive listing of ceremonies in 29 states, including seven at Tristate churches, as well as a pet blessing in Singapore. The ceremonies are in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, the gentle, 13th-century friar whose love of nature made him the patron saint of animals and the ecology.

        “Pets seem really important to people these days. I think part of it is an increasing awareness of the ecology, and people looking for meaning in the world,” says John Bookser-Feister, editor of AmericanCatholic.org. “For most people, (pet blessings) are a community or neighborhood or parish thing and it doesn't go beyond that. There's never been any kind of coordinated effort that I know of to collect these listings.”

        For animals who are too far away, too sick or too unruly to attend a public blessing, AmericanCatholic.org includes do-it-yourself blessings to perform at home. And new this year, the site offers a new Franciscan pet-blessing e-card. The card, featuring a St. Francis icon by Santa Fe artist Robert Lentz, contains a written blessing and room for the sender to add a message.

        Local blessings are at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Anderson Township; St. Simon the Apostle Church in Delhi Township; St. Gertrude Church in Madeira; St. Francis Seraph Church in Over-the-Rhine; St. Clement Church in St. Bernard; and St. Bernard Church in Dayton, Ky., as well as the Episcopal Christ Church Cathedral, downtown.

        For times and dates, call the churches or consult www.AmericanCatholic.org

FRANCISCAN ANIMAL BLESSINGS
        For all animals

        Blessed are you, Lord God,

        maker of all living creatures.

        On the fifth and sixth days of creation,

        you called forth fish in the sea,

        birds in the air and animals on the land.

        You inspired St. Francis to call all animals

        his brothers and sisters.

        We ask you to bless this animal.

        By the power of your love,

        enable it to live according to your plan.

        May we always praise you

        for all your beauty in creation.

        Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.

        For a sick animal

        Heavenly Father,

        you created all things for your glory

        and made us stewards of this creature.

        If it is your will, restore it to health and strength.

        Blessed are you, Lord God,

        and holy is your name for ever and ever. Amen.

       

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