Pet Blessing?

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isu

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Hello everyone, ( I hope I am in the right forum section )

I was listening to the catholic radio this morning and they where talking about pet Blessings this weekend. It is the first time I have ever heard of it. I did do a search and found that it is done in memory of Saint Francis of Assisi for his love of animals. But my question is why Bless the animals? I thought they where already Blessed by God for being animals. They don’t carry the original sin as us humans do. Is this Blessing really just for us?

Please note that I have nothing against animals. I would actually love to bring my cats to the Blessing but it almost feels unnecessary to me.

Please assist in deepening my understanding of Blessings.

Thank you
 
In many parishes this is done on or around the Feast of St. Francis. which is coming up very soon.

We Catholics generally like to bless everything. Houses, animals, fields, meals, etc. Remember that Christianity is the Incarnational religion. We take the material world very seriously. Through man, the material world was under the dominion of Satan and has now been in some sense redeemed by Christ. Eventually this will be fully realized in the New Earth (probably a transformed continuation of the current earth) that will be present after the Second Coming. But even now the blessings of the Church upon material substances or objects anticipates this transformation even as we remember the salvific work already done by Christ, the incarnate God.
 
What he said! 😃

Personally, I’d like to go to the pet blessing, but haven’t figured out the logistics. I have 4 very large dogs, a cat, a tortoise, and a parrot. Plus, we live about a 25-45 minute drive from the church depending on route and traffic, so multiple trips are out. sigh
 
Its beautiful to see. Took my dog to get blessed last year of his life.

What the above poster said… bless houses, cars, icons, crosses, why not dogs too ?
 
Aelred_Minor said:
In many parishes this is done on or around the Feast of St. Francis. which is coming up very soon.

We Catholics generally like to bless everything. Houses, animals, fields, meals, etc. Remember that Christianity is the Incarnational religion. We take the material world very seriously. Through man, the material world was under the dominion of Satan and has now been in some sense redeemed by Christ. Eventually this will be fully realized in the New Earth (probably a transformed continuation of the current earth) that will be present after the Second Coming. But even now the blessings of the Church upon material substances or objects anticipates this transformation even as we remember the salvific work already done by Christ, the incarnate God.
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Oh okay, Thank you everyone and Aelred for your quick response 🙂 I think I understand now. Since that is the reason for the blessings, I am going to see if I can find a parish nearby that will be participating and bring my two kittens 🙂
 
MJJean said:
What he said! 😃

Personally, I’d like to go to the pet blessing, but haven’t figured out the logistics. I have 4 very large dogs, a cat, a tortoise, and a parrot. Plus, we live about a 25-45 minute drive from the church depending on route and traffic, so multiple trips are out. sigh
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lol I grew up in a house that had 6 dogs, 5 cats, and 3 birds. I understand how hard it would be to carry the whole pack with you anywhere…especially when it is a time for the annual shots. I am in a small apartment right now so I only have space for 2 cats…the difference is drastic. It is so quiet o.o
 
MJJean said:
What he said! 😃

Personally, I’d like to go to the pet blessing, but haven’t figured out the logistics. I have 4 very large dogs, a cat, a tortoise, and a parrot. Plus, we live about a 25-45 minute drive from the church depending on route and traffic, so multiple trips are out. sigh
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Maybe you could get one or two pets blessed this year, one or two other ones next year, and so on.
 
I would LOVE to get my 19 pound cat “Henrietta” blessed this weekend but she doesn’t travel well. I think I’ll just get some holy water and sprinkle it on her myself. 😉
 
isu said:
lol I grew up in a house that had 6 dogs, 5 cats, and 3 birds. I understand how hard it would be to carry the whole pack with you anywhere…especially when it is a time for the annual shots. I am in a small apartment right now so I only have space for 2 cats…the difference is drastic. It is so quiet o.o
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I stagger my vaccinations. They each become due for vaccines and check up 2 months apart for just that reason!

It’s only quiet because the cats are conspiring against you! I swear, cats plot to amuse themselves and it’s usually at the expense of the human. They don’t twine around your legs when you’re by the stairs just because they love you :eek:
Aelred_Minor said:
Maybe you could get one or two pets blessed this year, one or two other ones next year, and so on.
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If I have to do that I think I’ll take my allergy dog this year. Poor girl needs all the help she can get!
isu said:
Thank you for the link! It was helpful to see how it is done.

I looked to see if there where any events nearby but unfortunately the closest one is a 7 hour drive. 😦
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I can’t wait to watch the link! Annnd I have officially had my derp moment of the day. I never thought to check more near parishes. As long as their blessing time won’t conflict with my RCIA class and Mass I’m good!
 
MJJean said:
What he said! 😃

Personally, I’d like to go to the pet blessing, but haven’t figured out the logistics. I have 4 very large dogs, a cat, a tortoise, and a parrot. Plus, we live about a 25-45 minute drive from the church depending on route and traffic, so multiple trips are out. sigh
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KimberlyCat said:
I would LOVE to get my 19 pound cat “Henrietta” blessed this weekend but she doesn’t travel well. I think I’ll just get some holy water and sprinkle it on her myself. 😉
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We normally take “selected pets” to the Pet Blessing and give the name of all the pets we want blessed. Father’s blessing is for all of our pets with the “selected pets” physically present.

I believe I have seen people who brought a picture of their pet. God’s blessings can travel past physical space.

The Pet Blessing at our parish normally has a special “set of prayer” as a group, followed by the individual families bringing their pet forward for the blessing. It is a nice gathering of parishioners and their pets for this blessing in honor of St. Francis’ Feast Day.
 
I bless my dog. I am the man of the house so I have that authority. I just take the crucifix of my rosary (probably not necessary) after I prayed it, and make the sign of the cross and bless him.

I am not sure if it is valid, though, but I do consider him a part of my family and he is my dog. So I bless him no differently than I would my child.
 
MJJean said:
I stagger my vaccinations. They each become due for vaccines and check up 2 months apart for just that reason!

It’s only quiet because the cats are conspiring against you! I swear, cats plot to amuse themselves and it’s usually at the expense of the human. They don’t twine around your legs when you’re by the stairs just because they love you :eek:!
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I know what you mean! The only time my last cat took a flying leap off of the bookcase (6+ feet high) at the dog was when a human was watching. 😃 :bigyikes:
 
KimberlyCat said:
I would LOVE to get my 19 pound cat “Henrietta” blessed this weekend but she doesn’t travel well. I think I’ll just get some holy water and sprinkle it on her myself. 😉
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i love this…:D:D

i would love to take my 2 labs this weekend as well but they both suffer with anxiety that leads to aggression towards other animals.
 
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