Oct. 3, 2005 – The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is Oct. 4, and in honor of his renowned love for animals, two local parishes and two schools have announced a Blessing of Pets.
On St. Croix, all creatures great and small may be brought to St. Mary School on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. This year the festivities will spill out into a block party to include more games, food, live music and donkey rides. Participants may have their photographs taken with their pets and imprinted on t-shirts.
Also on St. Croix, animals will be blessed outside the Youth Center at St. Joseph Church on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 5:30 p.m.
On St. Thomas, pets, plants and even stuffed animals will be blessed at Sts. Peter and Paul School on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 8:30 a.m. Students from the lower grades will read original poems and sing songs at the prayer service.
On St. John, pets and wildlife will be blessed in front of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 8:30 a.m.