By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic
City of Miami firefighter Luis Gonzalez, from Station 9, holds his dog, Stevie, as Father Christopher Marino, rector of St. Mary Cathedral and Miami Fire Department chaplain, blesses the pooch with holy water, Sept. 30, 2023. The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
Father Christopher Marino, rector of St. Mary Cathedral, hold a turtle named Philip as its owner, Maria Morales, looks on, during the blessing of the animals Sept. 30, 2023. The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
Posing for a photo during a blessing of the animals Sept. 30, 2023, from left: Father Christopher Marino, rector of St. Mary Cathedral, Noel Pace holding Nina and Nero; Ayden Alexander; and Claudia Pace. The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
Father Christopher Marino, rector of St. Mary Cathedral, left, and Father Reynold Brevil, parochial vicar, hold Father Marino's dogs, Coleman Francis on the left and Honey on the right, during a blessing of the animals Sept. 30, 2023. The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
Father Angel Calderon, parochial vicar at St. Timothy in Miami but helping out at St. Rose of Lima, Miami Shores, blesses Bam-Bam as his owner, Brian Sierra, holds him during a blessing of the animals Oct. 1, 2023. The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
Father Angel Calderon, parochial vicar at St. Timothy in Miami but helping out at St. Rose of Lima, Miami Shores, blesses a goat named Torrito as his owner, Ghislaine Sierra, holds him during a blessing of the animals Oct. 1, 2023. The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
MIAMI | A turtle, rabbits, a goat, chickens, dogs and cats were among the animals blessed at two parishes this weekend to mark the Oct. 4 feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment and animals.
One dog, Angel, almost drank the holy water in the aspersorium (bucket) while waiting. "He was thirsty," said his owner.
Father Christopher Marino, rector of St. Mary Cathedral, blessed animals Sept. 30, 2023, on the plaza in front of the church. At St. Rose of Lima in Miami Shores, Father Angel Calderon blessed animals under the church kiosk.
More parishes will hold blessings on the actual feast day this Wednesday. Check the Community section of the archdiocesan Events Calendar for times and locations.
Photographer: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
The traditional blessing of pets is taking place in many churches near or on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
