On Wednesday, October 4th, Saint Joseph School students and families celebrated the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi with their annual pets’ blessing. Saint Francis of Assisi was a 13th-century friar and preacher known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. In honor of his memory and Saint Francis’ love for all of God’s creations, families bring their pets to church for a special ceremony called the “Blessing of the Animals.”
The celebration is always a memorable event for Saint Joseph School students because they can share their pets with friends and faculty. This year, children and parents gathered on the Basilica steps with their pets, which Saint Joseph Basilica Pastor and Headmaster Rev. Grzegorz Chodkowski blessed. Pets included cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, and lizards. However, regardless of the pets’ size, all the students were excited to show off their special friends.
