Animals get blessed on Feast of St. Francis

Father Stephen Kelley of Holy Trinity Catholic Church led the Blessing of Pets during the Feast of Saint Francis today on the grounds of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School. Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.

Among the animals blessed were several breeds of dogs, a cat, a turtle, a cockatiel, a rabbit, and two chickens: a barred rock and a leghorn.

Catholics in the United States bring their pets to church to be blessed on this day because of Saint Francis's love for animals.