Blessing of the Pets on Oct 4

[Donna_Mc]

Our church had this on Saturday, we always look forward to
going. We took our cat and our dog. As usual there were
mostly dogs, only two cats including ours, and a hermit crab.

Candy barked when we first arrived, but after the blessing went
around and gave kisses to other dogs.

 

[Lorrie]

MikeinSD:

I’m sure “Pops” has had a great and happy life with still more to look forward to. When my former cat companion was very elderly, we enjoyed just hanging out the in the sun on the balcony together. He purred. Guess he was happy.
Mike

Its funny because I have to hear his purr so I can go to sleep at night (just because I’m so used to it). Usually he wakes me up once a night because of his old man sounding snores…lol.

I wonder if all cats like the sun, Pops loves it (he’s actually crashed out right now with the sun coming in on his belly), He’ll wake up soon and go lay under the ceiling fan.

 

[kaymart]

MikeinSD:

Who did you get blessed?

No one, my dog was so naughty we had to leave less then 3 minutes there. I have no problems when my kids were young at Mass but this crazy mutt would not behave. He a little maltese, not a big dog, but he sure has a big attitude problem This has been our 3 and last attempt with the little pagan mutt

 

[Deacon_Ed]

For anyone in North Orange County (California) I will be doing the pet blessing at St. Joseph in Placentia at 7:00 p.m. this evening.

Deacon Ed

 

[Ladycat]

I was thinking that bringing our pets to get them blessed would be a nice way to introduce our kids to the Catholic Church.

(We as a family have been really considering converting. It’s been too hard to ignore the truth we have found.)

Anyway, back to the subject.

Do we have to actually bring our pets there to be blessed? Can we bring a photo of each of them instead? We are bringing our little dog, but my young daughter wants her kitty blessed. Unfortunately her cat does not do well outside the house and is a very shy kitty, and I’m afraid it will scare her too much to be around all of the people and dogs.

Would it be appropriate for my daughter to ask for a blessing for her cat without the cat being present?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I’m still learning so much about Catholicism and felt kind of silly calling up our local parish to ask about the cat.

Thanks!

 

[Deacon_Ed]

One needs to be present for the blessing. I always suggest pet carriers (even the cardboard kind) for cats as they can get excited and their claws can do extensive damage to the hands and arms that are holding them.

Bringing a photo would result in the photo being blessed, but not the pet.

Deacon Ed

 

[Ladycat]

Oh I see. Thank you for explaining. I will bring her in a carrier then. My daughter is so excited and I really want to do this. Thanks again!

 

[kaymart]

Deacon Ed:

One needs to be present for the blessing. I always suggest pet carriers (even the cardboard kind) for cats as they can get excited and their claws can do extensive damage to the hands and arms that are holding them.

Bringing a photo would result in the photo being blessed, but not the pet.

Deacon Ed

Deacon Ed, Although it’s to late for my Dog, it was last Sunday here, see post above, he was a naughty boy The carrier Idea is great he is a small dog (Maltese). I have a Carrier and never thought of that, he’ll be going next year. Thank You, Kay

 

[kaygee]

We had our annual blessing of pets today. Tomorrow we’re having the exterminator in for the annual “blessing” of the fleas left behind.

 

[mgy100]

I took the Llama. It was cool j/k

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

The blessing at my Franciscan parish was done on Sunday. I didn’t bring my cats, because being caught and put in the carriers is extremely stressful for them, and they’ve only recently been to the vet for their checkups. My girl cat had an additional trip to the animal hospital because of a medical situation. I decided not to put them through the experience again so soon. Maybe next year.

**Crazy Internet Junkies Society
**Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

On this topic, can we have our pets blessed at any time of the year if our priest is willing? I would assume this would help the people who have very timid/scared pets…

Malia

 

[Lorrie]

kaygee:

We had our annual blessing of pets today. Tomorrow we’re having the exterminator in for the annual “blessing” of the fleas left behind.

That’s too funny!

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Feanaro's Wife:

On this topic, can we have our pets blessed at any time of the year if our priest is willing? I would assume this would help the people who have very timid/scared pets…

Malia

The Book of Blessings contains a blessing for pets that may be used at any time. Any priest or deacon (or even a layperson) can follow the rite and bless a pet.

Deacon Ed

 

[koda]

Deacon Ed:

The Book of Blessings contains a blessing for pets that may be used at any time. Any priest or deacon (or even a layperson) can follow the rite and bless a pet.

Deacon Ed

I do this every year on 10/4. We have 3 cats and the thought of taking them to the church is pretty scary. I read the pet prayer and sprinkle them with holy water. I did learn last year that some cats don’t appreciate having a lot of water dumped on their head, holy or not. This year I was more careful, especially as that very cat was sitting on my husband’s lap.