Animals blessed on the Feast of St Francis in Launceston

By Josh Low

Despite the gloomy weather, Launceston parishioners gathered joyfully with their pets this month to have them blessed in an intimate ceremony outside the Church of the Apostles.

Held on Friday 4 October for the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the Rite of Blessing of Animals was initiated by Launceston Parish Priest Fr Leonard Caldera.

Fr Leonard spoke about the life of St Francis before blessing the animals present. He also blessed the hands of parishioner Debbie Chong, a veterinarian.

Parishioner Martina (Tina) Ritchie brought her 13-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Sophie, along for a blessing on the day.

“I’d never participated in a Blessing of the Animals before,” she said.

“Our little dog Sophie has been a lovely companion to us, especially at night. She’s getting old now so I thought she deserved a blessing.

“All the dogs also seemed to know something special was happening – we must have had about seven or eight dogs of different breeds and none of them fought.

“I think animals really do have something special to offer us – they give so much to people,” she said.

While most brought dogs, two children brought a couple of fish named Francis and Clare along especially for the day so they could be blessed.

Prayers were also offered for pets that were unable to attend for various reasons.

Fr Leonard said the event highlighted how God demonstrates His love to us.

“The blessing of the animals was a way of experiencing God’s blessings and love through His creation,” he explained.

“I wanted people to know that God journeys with us, even through the pets that share in our homes and in our lives. As pets touch our lives, so much more does God’s love, which is present to us through them.”