Are animals allowed in Mass?

[Inquiringperson]

I’d assume animals aren’t allowed in Mass unless they’re service.

 

[anp1215]

I wonder if they make house calls. I don’t think I could handle bringing three cats into church.

I would love to have my cats blessed, but I too don’t think they would do very well. One is very mean to strangers and the other is so timid she would be terrified.

 

[jwinch2]

It was on the altar?

It sounds like the dog was probably better behaved than most of the people in the parish.

I think the OP meant it was in the sanctuary, since he mentioned the chair next to where the celebrant sits and stated that the dog stayed there throughout the Mass. Therefore it would be in the area of the church where the altar is located, but not physically on the altar itself. I could be wrong but that is how I interpreted his statement. I simply cannot see a priest in his right mind placing a dog on the actual altar where the consecration occurs.

Having said that and assuming that I am correct in my interpretation of the situation, I have no problem with the priest bringing his dog with him. Our priests give up much and give much of themselves to God and to us. If the love and loyalty of a dog brings some needed comfort and companionship to the life of a priest, I am all for that. If he wishes to have his dog at the moments that are central to his life, I have no problem with that either. When I think about all that our priests do, give up, and have to deal with on our behalf, I think we can probably let this one go by without too much worry.

When he asks the dog to preach the homily, i’ll start getting concerned.

 

[mick321]

My dog is ten years old and very well trained. Being a native Californian, she knows the whole working-dog routine and regularly “passes” for both a service and law enforcement dog in shopping malls, sports stadiums and entertainment venues.

She also knows full well that dogs - even well trained Catholic dogs - do not generally receive the Sacraments in the Latin Rite. But if she can demonstrate proper reverence and decorum throughout the Mass, is she allowed to approach an EMHC for a “blessing” during Holy Communion?

 

[JReducation]

I have never seen a formal statement on this. My guess is that there is no actual regulation. Certainly, service animals are always welcome at mass. It would be an injustice to ban them. The only place that has an actual regulation concerning animals is Vatican City. When Pope Benedict moved in, he had to send his cat to Bavaria to live with Fr. Ratzinger, because the Parliament of Vatican City (yes it has a real parliament) enacted a law that animals are not allowed to reside in the city.

The question is not whether they are allowed or not, since there is no regulation for or against the animals at mass. A better question is whether or not it’s practical.

Given the way that we construct churches, it’s not practical. I remember being in the missions where mass is celebrated in open churches, these are buildings suited for the tropics. They rarely have AC, so they have large doors and windows. It was a common sight to see a stray doggy wanter in and lay down for the mass. They usually behaved better than some human beings.

We did have a brother-priest who had a cat. She was the strangest cat I ever knew. We called her Celosa (Spanish for Jealous), because she guarded this brother like a dog would guard the sheep. She would attend mass everytime he celebrated. She would find an obscure corner in the sanctuary to lay down and remain there until the end of mass. What was cute about her was that she believed that she was part of the staff. She sat at the door as people were leaving, almost as if she were waiting to greet the congregation as it left the church. As soon as Brother started the blessing, she would get up and scurry to the door and wait there. Strange little cat, but cute.

We will have lots of animals at every Franciscan chapel and church this week. Even non-Franciscan priests will open their doors to animals for the blessing of St. Francis. This was a custom that St. Francis himself started.

Even though he was never a priest, we have always had priests in the order. Francis would order one of the brother-priests to celebrate a mass at which he would invite the local people and their animals. You have to recall that pets were not a common thing during the 13th century. We’re talking about pigs, chickens, cows, sheep and other. Eventually, it became such a big event that they had to move it outdoors. The mass would be celebrated in the friary chapel and then St. Francis would bless the animals outside.

I love it. Last year I had a little girl come with her mama cat and five young kitties in a carrier. I’m a cat person.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[YoungTradCath]

Kind of off topic, but Br. JR, the Parliament’s law applies to the Pope?

 

[JReducation]

Kind of off topic, but Br. JR, the Parliament’s law applies to the Pope?

Apparently. It was a surprise to me too.

I don’t know too much about the civil government of Vatican City. I always knew they had a parliament and a Head of Government, like any other nation and that this body makes its civil laws, which makes sense. They have banking, a postal system, railraod, gasoline, commerce, passports, parishes and even a shelter for the homeless. It makes sense that there are civil laws that govern these things.

I never knew that the pope could not keep a pet. The first time I heard it was when Pope Benedict said so in an interview.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Marie5890]

I never knew that the pope could not keep a pet. The first time I heard it was when Pope Benedict said so in an interview.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

That’s sad

I have three cats. I learn so much about unconditional love and affection from them. Simplicity, too.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Well, I doubt the dog was actually on the altar. It seems it was in the sanctuary (assuming that’s where the presider’s chair was located) but probably not on the altar.

The OP stated that the dog was on the altar.

 

[LittleSoldier]

It sounds like the dog was probably better behaved than most of the people in the parish.

I think the OP meant it was in the sanctuary, since he mentioned the chair next to where the celebrant sits and stated that the dog stayed there throughout the Mass. Therefore it would be in the area of the church where the altar is located, but not physically on the altar itself. I could be wrong but that is how I interpreted his statement. I simply cannot see a priest in his right mind placing a dog on the actual altar where the consecration occurs.

Having said that and assuming that I am correct in my interpretation of the situation, I have no problem with the priest bringing his dog with him. Our priests give up much and give much of themselves to God and to us. If the love and loyalty of a dog brings some needed comfort and companionship to the life of a priest, I am all for that. If he wishes to have his dog at the moments that are central to his life, I have no problem with that either. When I think about all that our priests do, give up, and have to deal with on our behalf, I think we can probably let this one go by without too much worry.

When he asks the dog to preach the homily, i’ll start getting concerned.

The OP stated that the dog was on the altar. He/she used that word, although he spelled it wrong. The altar, the altar. In fact, he said the dog was on the altar all during Mass.

He/she said it was on the altar and if he/she said it was on the altar I believe him/her (wow, is that awkward; we need a real gender-neutral term).

This is what he/she stated: I went to Mass the other day at a parish that I don’t normally go to. to my surprise there was a dog sitting on the chair next to the priest. and the Dog stayed up on the alter throughout the whole mass. Although the dog didn’t move around a lot an didn’t make any noise, it was extremely distracting. I was wondering if the Catechism or any church authority has said anything about having animals in Mass. You would hope the priest would know not to bring his dog with him!

(the bolding was added by me.)

My dog would have sung and also would have attempted to tell everyone in church that she is not happy at all with her role in life and wants only to herd goats. She wants goats. She tells everyone to please take her away from me and to some goats so she can fulfill herself and do her duty as a herding dog. I don’t think I’ll be taking my dog to Mass unless I muzzle her. It’s not just the thing about goats; she is a horrible singer (even worse than me).

 

[anp1215]

The OP stated that the dog was on the altar.

The OP stated this: “to my surprise there was a dog sitting on the chair next to the priest. and the Dog stayed up on the alter throughout the whole mass.”

It sounds to me as though the dog was sitting next to the priest. I highly, highly doubt the dog was actually up on the altar. The OP may have used that term, but it’s a common misconception that the term “altar” applies to the whole area at the front of the church. Many Protestants use the term that way.

 

[Mark1970]

Don’t know about “during Mass”, but I’ve known several priests who have had dogs, which they’ve allowed to wander round the church either before or after Mass. The dog has been better behaved than many in the congregation.

 

[LittleSoldier]

The OP stated this: “to my surprise there was a dog sitting on the chair next to the priest. and the Dog stayed up on the alter throughout the whole mass.”

It sounds to me as though the dog was sitting next to the priest. I highly, highly doubt the dog was actually up on the altar. The OP may have used that term, but it’s a common misconception that the term “altar” applies to the whole area at the front of the church. Many Protestants use the term that way.

I’m requesting clarification from the OP. Sorry, but I take people at their word and if he/she says the dog was on the altar I believe that is what he/she meant to say. I don’t want to say he/she used the wrong word or that he/she didn’t understand what an altar is or that he/she was confused about anything more than the spelling of the word “altar” (and that may have been a typo). When I post something I say what I mean and I assume that everyone else does the same.

I’m not trying to be disagreeable or anything like that. Please don’t misunderstand me. But I’ve seen animals in some strange places and I think that there just might be a priest somewhere who has let his dog up on the altar during Mass.

Is the OP still here?

 

[LittleSoldier]

I have never seen a formal statement on this. My guess is that there is no actual regulation. Certainly, service animals are always welcome at mass. It would be an injustice to ban them. The only place that has an actual regulation concerning animals is Vatican City. When Pope Benedict moved in, he had to send his cat to Bavaria to live with Fr. Ratzinger, because the Parliament of Vatican City (yes it has a real parliament) enacted a law that animals are not allowed to reside in the city.

The question is not whether they are allowed or not, since there is no regulation for or against the animals at mass. A better question is whether or not it’s practical.

Given the way that we construct churches, it’s not practical. I remember being in the missions where mass is celebrated in open churches, these are buildings suited for the tropics. They rarely have AC, so they have large doors and windows. It was a common sight to see a stray doggy wanter in and lay down for the mass. They usually behaved better than some human beings.

We did have a brother-priest who had a cat. She was the strangest cat I ever knew. We called her Celosa (Spanish for Jealous), because she guarded this brother like a dog would guard the sheep. She would attend mass everytime he celebrated. She would find an obscure corner in the sanctuary to lay down and remain there until the end of mass. What was cute about her was that she believed that she was part of the staff. She sat at the door as people were leaving, almost as if she were waiting to greet the congregation as it left the church. As soon as Brother started the blessing, she would get up and scurry to the door and wait there. Strange little cat, but cute.

We will have lots of animals at every Franciscan chapel and church this week. Even non-Franciscan priests will open their doors to animals for the blessing of St. Francis. This was a custom that St. Francis himself started.

Even though he was never a priest, we have always had priests in the order. Francis would order one of the brother-priests to celebrate a mass at which he would invite the local people and their animals. You have to recall that pets were not a common thing during the 13th century. We’re talking about pigs, chickens, cows, sheep and other. Eventually, it became such a big event that they had to move it outdoors. The mass would be celebrated in the friary chapel and then St. Francis would bless the animals outside.

I love it. Last year I had a little girl come with her mama cat and five young kitties in a carrier. I’m a cat person.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

The news about the pope really makes me sad. I had read about his cat and how much he loved it. But it clears up some confusion I had because the article I read said where the cat was at the time and it wasn’t in Vatican City with the pope. Now I know why.

As for service dogs, at least where I live, they are allowed to be in any place that is open to the public. I believe that would include churches. I think it would be illegal (a violation of the ADA) to disallow service dogs from being in a church at any time it is open to the public.

But if I ever get my dog trained to the point that I feel she can safely accompany me to Mass (and I have a very, very good reason for wanting her there; in fact, I don’t think I can attend Mass without her and therefore I haven’t been to Mass for many months), I will ask permission of our priest and she will wear her vest (even though there is no law that states a service dog must wear a vest or have any sort of papers and to demand either of those from me or ask me about my disability is a violation of law) and might be muzzled if she doesn’t stop singing and talking about goats.

 

[LittleSoldier]

That’s sad

I have three cats. I learn so much about unconditional love and affection from them. Simplicity, too.

I agree. I have seven (a long and boring story) and they are a handful but after being around them for so long I have no doubt that they love and that the love they have is unconditional. The same is true of dogs.

Sometimes I think they’re kind of like little angels, sent to us from God to show us how we should be behaving. And sometimes they put me to shame with the way they forgive.

I’m a cat and dog person. Any place I live can’t be a home without both. But for a long time I couldn’t have a dog and didn’t know what it was like to have a dog and I was very, very happy with the two cats I had and I miss them so much.

I wonder how much Pope Benedict misses his cat. I would find it almost unbearable.

 

[SMHW]

The OP stated that the dog was on the altar. He/she used that word, although he spelled it wrong. The altar, the altar. In fact, he said the dog was on the altar all during Mass.

He/she said it was on the altar and if he/she said it was on the altar I believe him/her (wow, is that awkward; we need a real gender-neutral term).

This is what he/she stated: I went to Mass the other day at a parish that I don’t normally go to. to my surprise there was a dog sitting on the chair next to the priest. and the Dog stayed up on the alter throughout the whole mass. Although the dog didn’t move around a lot an didn’t make any noise, it was extremely distracting. I was wondering if the Catechism or any church authority has said anything about having animals in Mass. You would hope the priest would know not to bring his dog with him!

(the bolding was added by me.)

Actually if you take the OP literally it is even crazier than a dog on the altar. It would seem that the dog is sitting on a chair which is on the altar. …unless we are supposed to think that the dog moved from the chair to the altar at some point before Mass began.

 

[SMHW]

As for service dogs, at least where I live, they are allowed to be in any place that is open to the public. I believe that would include churches. I think it would be illegal (a violation of the ADA) to disallow service dogs from being in a church at any time it is open to the public.

I realize that anecdotal information about a specific parish can’t be generalized…

I haven’t seen this woman recently so I don’t know if she’s still a member of the parish or not. But she evidently trains puppies for one of the Guide Dogs programs. Over the course of a few years I have seen her at Mass with several young dogs. They were all well behaved even though none of them had “graduated” yet.

 

[D3b3ra]

It sounds like the dog was probably better behaved than most of the people in the parish.

Having said that and assuming that I am correct in my interpretation of the situation, I have no problem with the priest bringing his dog with him. Our priests give up much and give much of themselves to God and to us. If the love and loyalty of a dog brings some needed comfort and companionship to the life of a priest, I am all for that. If he wishes to have his dog at the moments that are central to his life, I have no problem with that either. When I think about all that our priests do, give up, and have to deal with on our behalf, I think we can probably let this one go by without too much worry.

When he asks the dog to preach the homily, i’ll start getting concerned.

I agree 100%!

 

[LittleSoldier]

Actually if you take the OP literally it is even crazier than a dog on the altar. It would seem that the dog is sitting on a chair which is on the altar. …unless we are supposed to think that the dog moved from the chair to the altar at some point before Mass began.

Yeah, I know. I noticed that, too. And that confuses me. A dog on a chair, even during Mass, might distract me for a minute but then I wouldn’t pay any attention unless the dog moved - like if it moved up to the altar itself. But I believe the OP stated that the dog didn’t move around a lot? So it either must have been extremely close to the altar or must have been on a chair which was placed on the altar - and that indicates a confused OP or a very confused priest who should probably be evaluated by a mental health professional. A chair on the altar is distracting in itself.

I’m just going to let it go. The idea of a chair or a dog on the altar is bizarre and I’m beginning to agree with the posters who have stated that the dog was probably not on the altar at all. If it had been I would hope that the congregation would have been so concerned that such a thing would have been reported to the bishop.

It sounds like something Dr. Seuss would have written: “An altar with a dog and a chair…an altar with a dog and a frog and a chair…An altar with a dog and a frog in a bog and a chair on an altar…”

 

[LittleSoldier]

It sounds like the dog was probably better behaved than most of the people in the parish.

I think the OP meant it was in the sanctuary, since he mentioned the chair next to where the celebrant sits and stated that the dog stayed there throughout the Mass. Therefore it would be in the area of the church where the altar is located, but not physically on the altar itself. I could be wrong but that is how I interpreted his statement. I simply cannot see a priest in his right mind placing a dog on the actual altar where the consecration occurs.

Having said that and assuming that I am correct in my interpretation of the situation, I have no problem with the priest bringing his dog with him. Our priests give up much and give much of themselves to God and to us. If the love and loyalty of a dog brings some needed comfort and companionship to the life of a priest, I am all for that. If he wishes to have his dog at the moments that are central to his life, I have no problem with that either. When I think about all that our priests do, give up, and have to deal with on our behalf, I think we can probably let this one go by without too much worry.

When he asks the dog to preach the homily, i’ll start getting concerned.

Where better for a dog to be than in the House of God? I doubt the dog looked around at the congregation and noted the outfits that certain people wore and then passed judgment on them for not showing “proper respect” for God. I doubt the dog decided that so-and-so shouldn’t receive Communion because he happened to see her in public with a man who is not her husband. I doubt the dog became offended because he didn’t think that guitars and violins and folk music should be allowed in church but that only Gregorian Chant is appropriate…

The dog cannot sin. The dog is truly innocent. The dog was created by God and reflects a part of God.

What better place than God’s house?