Episcopal church to hold pet blessing ceremony

Every fall, in many towns across around the world, a curious phenomenon can be seen. In fields, in parking lots, in the sanctuary of churches, people are leading, carrying, dragging or holding their pets to be blessed by a local priest.

Shelbyville is no exception. The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer will celebrate a pet blessing on Sunday at 4 p.m. in its parking lot.

"We used to do it inside the church," said Father Peter Whelan. "Until one of the dogs marked one of the pews ..."

The blessing of the pets has long been a way of acknowledging St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. In the Catholic church calendar, St. Francis' feast day is Oct. 4, so many of the "high liturgical" churches -- such as Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutheran -- often schedule their pet blessings to coincide with that day.

"It's to honor St. Francis," said Whelan. "But it's also to realize God has given us this created world to use for our benefit and to his honor and glory -- including pets. They are our companions, our confidants. They are expressions of love and they help us realize we are not the center of the universe."

In his many years as an Episcopalian priest, he has seen all sorts of critters cross his doorstep.

"Pot-bellied pigs, horses, goldfish," he said. "We've even had several kinds of snakes -- all contained!"

In fact, said Whelan, no matter what kind of pet you want to bring for the blessing, it's best if it is contained somehow, either in a cage, tank, pet carrier, or on a leash or lead.

"I was asked to do a pet blessing at the St. Joseph of Arimathea church and a little girl came up and she didn't have her cat on a leash or anything. It got scared and ran off. It was so sad," he said.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the event Sunday.