Paws for prayer at Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

Following an Oct. 1 Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, Father Justin Gough held a blessing of the animals in honor of the upcoming feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals.

About a dozen dogs – and their families – stood in the sunshine outside the cathedral steps to receive the blessing. Among them was 16-year-old Quincy and his owner, cathedral parishioner Ann Rustia, and 6-year-old Dennis and his owner, cathedral parishioner Hildegarde Friedman, and Dennis’ dogwalker Albert Wong. Mary Bell, the cathedral’s director of development, also brought her puppy Norma Jean.

“Now, good and gracious God, pour out your blessings upon these animals, which are signs of your goodness, fidelity and love,” said Father Gough, associate pastor. “May they bring us joy and comfort, healing and reprieve, and may we care for them according to the greatness of our vocation as your sons and daughters. May every animal, created to serve us in our need, remind us of you, who we were created to serve all our days, unto everlasting life.

“We ask this through Christ Our Lord.”

Father Gough sprinkled the dogs with holy water while all who were gathered prayed the “Canticle of the Creatures,” composed by St. Francis.

The group was also reminded of the ways the Lord has used animals to bring about salvation: the dove which announced to Noah the end of the flood, the lamb whose blood spared the children of Israel destruction, the fish which saved Jonah, the ravens which brought bread to Elijah, and many more, Father Gough said.

“Yet above all these, we remember most especially the precious Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who takes away the sins of the world and who invites us to share in the eucharistic feast of his body and blood,” Father Gough said.

Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore held or were planning similar pet blessings this week. The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is Oct. 4. 

St. Francis is the patron saint of animals because of his love for all creation. He was known for preaching to the birds and was said to have tamed a wolf that was terrorizing Gubbio, Italy. He is credited with starting the first live nativity, complete with an ox and donkey.

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