10th annual Blessing of the Animals

The Rev. Thea Keith-Lucas, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, Danvers, will preside over the 10th annual Blessing of the Animals, a beloved community event for the entire north shore. It happens Saturday, October 6, 2012, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Endicott Park, 57 Forest Street, Danvers.

The gathering -- free and open to the public, with all faiths welcome -- usually attracts some 300 pets and their humans and is sponsored annually by Calvary and the Perfect Paws Pet Ministry.

As part of the ceremony, Rev. Thea lays hands on each and every animal that attends, praying for the blessings of a long life, good health and a caring, happy home. The event is held in honor of the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. 

St. Francis loved all living creatures and had a great respect for the earth. He also felt great solidarity with the poor and oppressed. The Blessing of the Animals reminds us that his example is something important for us to remember, appreciate, and emulate.

For those humans who wanted to obtain a blessing for a pet that is either unable to travel to the site, ill, or deceased, Rev. Thea will bless “paper prayers,” on which the name and type of animal is written by their owners.

Last year, for Zeus, a giant Mastiff with a low tolerance for small dogs, the owner wrote, “My Mom wouldn’t let me come today.”

Individuals who work on Saturday, and those who are far away and cannot attend, may also participate by sending a paper prayer for blessings of a beloved animal friend, via the form at http://www.calvaryepiscopal-danvers.org/petministry/blessing2012.htm#PaperPrayer

All email prayers will be acknowledged.

For more information, please go to http://www.calvaryepiscopal-danvers.org/petministry/blessing2012.htm