SBCA Annual Blessing of the Animals
In honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals, all were welcomed and many came with their lovable family pets to the Annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 5, 2025, outside of Gate of Heaven Church, downstairs in the I Street Courtyard, near the Celtic Cross, following the 9AM Mass at 9:45AM.
Deacon Tommy O’Donnell, SJ, was so happy to be able to Bless all the lovable pets that came with their families to Gate of Heaven Church for a special Blessing in honor of St. Francis. “A prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi for pets is a plea for the saint’s intercession for the health and well-being of an animal, asking for comfort and healing for the pet and for the owner to be guided in caring for the animal. The prayer
often includes invoking Saint Francis’s known love and kindness towards all God’s creatures, asking him to “watch over” the animal and to grant comfort to its pain and healing to its body.”
Prayer...”Loving God, Creator of all living things, we thank You for the gift of our dear pets. We ask Your Blessing on them and pray that you will watch over them, bring them comfort and healing, and keep them safe and healthy.
May they remind us of Your unconditional love and faithful companionship, and grant us the wisdom and kindness to care for them as the stewards You made us to be. Through the intercession of St. Francis, patron of animals, we ask for your loving care to fill our animal companions. Amen.”
