St. Paul’s Anglican Church in South Porcupine will have a blessing of the animals today from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and all members of the community who wish to have their pets blessed are welcome.
The blessing of the animals will be presided over by Reverend Phelan Scanlon, and takes place during the week of October 4, in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, who is viewed as the patron saint of animals and nature.
“The tradition is being revived in Timmins by the Anglican Church,” said Scanlon. “We had it on Tuesday October 4, the birthday of St. Francis, at St. Matthews Church in Timmins and they also had it in Kirkland Lake this past Sunday.”
Though the blessing of the animals is being revived in Timmins this week, it has had a long tradition.
“For about four centuries we have associated St. Francis, with not just love of animals, but also the beauty of nature,“ explained Reverend Scanlon. “The idea behind the blessing of the animals is that we are all part of creation including all animals.”
“When we bless the animals, we are acknowledging our creator,” added Scanlon.
Most pet owners will show up with the usual — cats and dogs — but Reverend Scanlon said he has had a few surprises in the past.
“Typically we get domestic pets such as cats and dogs,” Reverend Scanlon said, “But I have blessed guinea pigs, rabbits and even some lizards.”
St. Paul’s Church is located at 58 Legion Drive, South Porcupine. For more information about today’s blessing of the animals please call 705-235-4440.
