Beloved “Blessing of the Animals” Returns in Observance of Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

On Thursday, Oct. 3 on the eve of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, UIW hosted its annual Blessing of the Animals. UIW students, employees and other local community members were invited to bring their beloved pets to receive a special blessing in honor of St. Francis, patron saint of the environment, animals and birds.

St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. In many parishes, it is customary that churches host blessing ceremonies for animals on his feast day.

The UIW community, both two and four legged, gathered at Lourdes Grotto for the ceremony led by Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, faculty emerita. She led the crowd in song and prayer as they celebrated the precious impacts pets leave upon their humans’ lives. As harmonized voices prayed in song, offering their intentions to God and asking for his protection over their furry friends, it was undeniable how much love the Cardinal community holds for their precious pets.

Sr. Martha Ann blessed the fortunate pets who were able to attend in person, the ashes and alters of pets who have passed away and even several stuffed animals who hold sentimental value to their owners. She gently sprinkled holy water upon each beloved pet as she asked God to protect them. Most dogs thanked her with wagging tails, slobbery smiles and happy barks. Others needed an extra sprinkle.

With each sprinkle distributed and received, the Nest was all the more blessed.