By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, holds his dog, Maui, while petting parishioner's dogs during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, holds his dog as the Carter family shows him their four chickens to be blessed during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, reads a pet blessing as parishioners gathered with their pets outside the church during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, blesses a parishioner's dog during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, blesses a turtle named Toby as its owner, Cheryl LaPalme, stands next to him, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, blesses a horse named Ruby as Luca DiSciascio, 17, holds her. At right, Marco DiSciascio, 15, holds a horse named Royal, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Patricia Perez combs the hair of a horse named Ruby as Luca DiSciascio, 17, holds her during the blessing of the animals at Nativity Parish in Hollywood, Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, holds his dog as the Carter family shows him their four chickens to be blessed during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, reads a pet blessing as parishioners gathered with their pets outside the church during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, blesses a parishioner's dog during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, blesses a turtle named Toby as its owner, Cheryl LaPalme, stands next to him, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity Church in Hollywood, blesses a horse named Ruby as Luca DiSciascio, 17, holds her. At right, Marco DiSciascio, 15, holds a horse named Royal, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Patricia Perez combs the hair of a horse named Ruby as Luca DiSciascio, 17, holds her during the blessing of the animals at Nativity Parish in Hollywood, Oct. 4, 2024, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
HOLLYWOOD | Dogs, chickens, horses, and turtles were among the “parishioners” who gathered at Nativity Church in Hollywood Oct. 4, feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment and animals.
Many churches throughout the Archdiocese of Miami marked the feast with the traditional blessing of pets, usually dogs and cats, but sometimes chickens and horses, which were brought to Nativity for its blessing.
Father Robert Ayala, pastor of Nativity, blessed the animals Oct. 4, 2024, on the plaza in front of the church.
