There was a giant turnout for a particular service Friday at St. Cletus Parish in La Grange as nicely over 100 furry mates from all through the realm got here out Friday to rejoice the Feast Day of St. Francis and be blessed by the Rev. Elmer Romero, the church’s pastor.
St. Francis, together with St. Catherine of Siena, is a patron saint of Italy. In 1979, Pope John Paul 11 declared St. Francis the patron saint of ecology, an honor that made him the patron saint of animals to many. It’s a well-liked follow on his feast day for folks to convey their pets to church for a blessing.
Romero stated the pet blessing has turn into an annual custom at St. Cletus as a manner not solely to include the furry members of the family of parishoners, but in addition to rejoice the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi,” some of the joyful and favourite saints that we’ve.”
“He had this particular love for creation,” Romero stated. “Simply take into consideration that — love for creation. Every little thing we see, and our pets, is a part of that.”
On Friday at St. Cletus, many of the pets receiving blessings have been of the canine selection, with a number of cats thrown in, one in a protecting bubble.
By far the biggest was Maddy, a Leonberger introduced by La Grange resident Annie Bretzer, who was on the blessing for the primary time.
“I went to a Franciscan highschool, and I realized about St. Francis and the blessing of the animals, so I wished to convey her,” she stated.
Parishioners Marie and Bob Usher introduced Archie, who they described as an “all-American mutt,” for his blessing, the primary time they’d attended.
“It’s an ideal recognition of the enjoyment that these pets convey us,” Marie stated. “And it’s the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, so it’s stunning. Look how many individuals are right here.”
Summit resident Cynthia Hernandez got here to have her goldendoodle, Jasper, blessed, saying her house parish of St. Blase had dwindled considerably throughout the pandemic.
“He’s 2, so I’ve been right here twice with him,” Hernandez stated, stressing it was “completely” particular to have Jasper blessed. She famous that one benefit of the breed is the dearth of shedding, which is nice for her mom’s allergic reactions.
Maria O’Connell, St. Cletus athletic director, had a volleyball sport proper after the feast, and stopped by to lend help to the blessings.
“I feel it’s stunning,” she stated.
Because the guests left, Romero stated he was greater than happy with the turnout.
“I feel this was completely stunning,” Romero stated after the ultimate blessing. “I noticed extra folks, extra pets this yr. Different locations, they could have the pet blessing on a unique day of the week, however right here we selected right this moment, the precise Feast of St. Francis.”
Hank Beckman is a contract reporter for Pioneer Press.
