BYJADA CAMILLE
Blessings “fur” the whole
family!
Members of the Catholic
church celebrated the Feast
Day of St. Francis of Assisi
this weekend by taking their
pets to get blessed.
Parishes across the borough
opened their doors to
pet owners during the annual
“Blessing of the Animals,”
during which Brooklynites’
furry friends are
offi cially welcomed into the
church.
John Quaglione, a spokesperson
for the Brooklyn diocese,
said this year’s pet
blessings were especially anticipated
as many church-goers
were unable to celebrate
last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“This year was special.
People were able to come to
the parish with their dogs or
cats … and they were able to
receive a special blessing,”
Quaglione told Brooklyn Paper.
COURIER L 16 IFE, OCTOBER 8-14, 2021
“It was nice to see people
taking time out of their day
to bring their pets out.”
Participating parishes included
St. Patrick’s, St. Athanasius,
and Our Lady of Angels.
Pets were also blessed
outside of St. Anselm in Bay
Ridge, where Father Anthony
Alimnonu waited outside to
greet and bless both the animals
and their owners.
The event is so important,
he said, because many members
of the church value their
pets as “a gift from God.”
“Families are built
around pets. Pets are the
center of the universe of
many families and it’s nice
to see that they bring their
pets with them for this special
blessing. For the year
ahead, for health and to continue
to bring joy to them,”
said Quaglione.
The yearly dedication
commemorates the life of St
Francis, who was born in the
12th century and is the Catholic
Church’s patron saint
of animals and the environment.
His feast day is celebrated
annually by the Catholic
Church on Oct. 4.
“This is a celebration and
a chance to give God thanks
for the blessing of their animals,”
said Quaglione.
Father Anthony Alimnonu gets to
know the newest member of St.
Anselm Roman Catholic Church.
Not a bark was heard outside of St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church,
where Father Anthony Alimnonu blessed parishioners’ furry friends on
Saturday, Oct. 2. Photos by Arthur de Gaeta
OH, HOWL-Y DAY!
Brooklynites get their pets blessed at
annual ‘Blessing of the Animals’
Wrong time
for the flu.
Right time for
a flu shot.
Childen
under 5
If you are
or may be
pregnant
If you are
over 65
If you have
other medical
conditions
Especially:
COVID-19 has taught us that
we all need to be protected.
A flu shot helps protect
you and your family.
For more information and to find a location to
get your flu shot, visit nyc.gov/flu or call 311.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Dave A. Chokshi, MD MSc
Commissioner
/flu