In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, two Rome churches are carrying on the annual tradition of blessing the community’s furry, feathered and finned residents.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Transfiguration Episcopal Church both will be conducting 4 p.m. services today to bless animals.
Rome residents are encouraged to bring their pets, regardless of species, to be blessed.
“We get animals of all shapes and sizes,” said the Rev. Janice Bracken Wright, who will lead the service in the grassy area beside the office at St. Peter’s on East 4th Avenue. “We get everything from tiny gerbils to 100-pound Weimaraners. Everyone’s welcome.”
Wright said the service at St. Peter’s should last about 20 minutes and will include prayers, a short reading and the blessing of each animal individually.
“It’s a very brief service with a scripture reading and prayer, usually the prayer of St. Francis,” she said. “It’s in honor of the feast day of St. Francis. We’re celebrating God’s love for all creation.”
After Wright lays her hands on each animal and says a prayer for each by name, the service concludes with refreshments for the animals and their owners.
Attendants are asked to keep their pets on a leash or in a crate for their own safety.
“We had a cat run away last year,” Wright said. “We got him back, but it was touch and go there for a while.”
Across town, more animals will be the center of attention as services to bless animals at Transfiguration Episcopal Church get under way.
The day’s activities begin at 2 p.m. with a family fun day, said event organizer David Hicks.
“There will be games, face painting, tractor and pony rides and apple-bobbing, among others,” Hicks said. “It’s just a community-wide event to bring everyone, especially the kids, together.”
The blessing of the animals begins at 4 p.m. in the prayer garden beside the church, at 304 Coker Dr.
Father Michael Owens will conduct an abbreviated service, after which he will bless each animal individually, as well as the memories of those animals that have passed or could not be at the service.
