Bryn Wagner brought her horse Lee to be blessed by Deacon Pat Hirl at a blessing of the animals at St. Patrick Church in rural Atchison. PHOTO BY MELISSA SCHRAMP
Animals of all shapes and sizes were blessed around the archdiocese on or near the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4.
Father Michael Peterson, pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Wamego, blesses a couple of ducks in the parish parking lot Oct. 5. The blessing of the animals held there and elsewhere were in honor of the feast day of St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
St. Francis is the patron saint of the environment and animals.
Buddy, a three-year-old Maltipoo belonging to Joel Carril, is blessed by Father Gerard Alba at St. Pius X Church in Mission on Oct. 4. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOEL CARRIL
St. Francis loved all animals and was fond of reminding his companions that all creatures were brothers and sisters under God.
Deacon Pat Hirl gives a little pet to Celeste Mirarchi’s cat Autumn as Rebecca Parker looks on at the blessing of the animals at St. Patrick Church in rural Atchison. PHOTO BY CAROLYN KANE
To view more photos from the Blessing of the Animals in Wamego, click here.
