At first it looked like any other Sunday service at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Elm Street on Oct. 6, but by the end paws were starting to grow out of the pews and the hounds were singing hymns. Together they made several harmonious sounds.
Pets and stuffed animals were invited to church services for a special blessing celebrating St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of “all creation,” said Pastor Scott Ciosek.
According to Siosek, the saint earned this title by seeing God in all creation.
Chosek, who was born in 1182 to a wealthy family in the small village of Assisi, Italy, told how he had a change of heart and reaffirmed his faith in God after Francis drove away a beggar.
Much to his father’s dismay, Francisco dedicated his life to serving the poor and began donating everything he had, Ciosek said. One day, Francisco encountered a leper.
He wanted to turn away, but “there was something more going on in his mind,” Siosek said. “He embraced the leper. He kissed the leper, and in that moment Francis recognized that he was Christ.”
Chosek, who visited Assisi twice in his life, said: “I still feel peace in that village, because all creation and all the animals are just walking around (and) you can approach them relatively easily.” ” he said.
After a greeting from the pastor and a little commentary from the pups, attendees lined up with their pets to receive the blessing.
Claudia Settele brought a stuffed lamb named May. Because she is “a lamb of God,” Settele said.
Regarding the whole blessing, she had this to say: There is no doubt that so many families will gather here with their pets to be blessed on this beautiful day. ”
