Rome churches bless animals; ‘This is a way to remind ourselves that (animals), too, are part of his creation.’
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St. Mary's School postponed its planned Blessing of the Pets until 2 p.m. Tuesday. It was to be held today.
Two local churches celebrated the special bond between people and their pets Sunday.
The menagerie of animals at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church during the afternoon event included several breeds of dogs, some cats, a turtle and even a praying mantis.
They were brought to the church courtyard at East Fourth Avenue by their owners as part of the Blessing of the Animals. According to church officials, the ceremony is part of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
“We do this each year as part of that celebration,” said the Rev. Janice Bracken Wright, associate rector at St. Peter’s. “It’s a way to celebrate all of God’s creation and the gift that these animals are to our lives. This is a way to remind ourselves that they, too, are part of his creation.”
The blessing itself focuses on the role of God in people’s lives, as well as the role that animals play to their respective families.
“It acknowledges that animals are our friends and companions; it acknowledges that God is our Creator and preserver; and it acknowledges the bond and relationship people have with their animal companions,” Wright said. “It’s a way people can show the blessings that God has given them through their animals.”
David Powell brought his golden retriever, Chewie, to the ceremony.
“I think it’s a special way to recognize that we’re all God’s creatures and that we respect our animal companions,” Powell said. “We believe that animals, being part of God’s creation, are every bit as important to some people as their families or jobs.
“I think for some people who don’t have any close family members surviving or living nearby, their animals become even more important to them.”
Greg Tallant, the priest at St. Peter’s, said people bring a variety of creatures to the yearly blessing. While dogs and cats are by far the most common, this year saw a turtle and a praying mantis, and he said last year a snake was brought to the blessing.
“This is a way to show that God’s creation and love includes everything,” Tallant said. “This seems to mean a lot to people in our congregation. As a church, we try to be very involved with animals and groups such as the Humane Society.
“What interests me the most,” Tallant added, “is the ethical responsibility that I think we have, and how God calls us to care for and treat animals.”
At Transfiguration Episcopal Church on Coker Drive, Julie Martin of Rome said she’d seen the blessing of the pets in the newspaper before, but this was her first time attending the event. She brought her dog Braveheart, a terrier mix. She said she and her husband aren’t members of the church but enjoy attending because the people are so friendly.
“Animals have a particular place in blessing because they are sentient beings” said Father Michael Owens of Transfiguration, who led the blessing. Animals are different from other creations of God, he said. “Often they become part of our families and are treated almost like ‘little people,’ and as they are loved, they should be blessed.” He went to on to say that everyone is a minister and all things made by God should be loved and blessed.
“I am very impressed with the turnout,” said church verger David Hicks. “With the weather like it is, I was a little worried.” Turnout included dozens of dogs of all sizes, one hamster, one cat, one rabbit named Captain Henry Morgan, a list of geese that couldn’t personally attend, and two horses.
D’Ann Downey, president of Compassionate Paws Inc., brought her three schnauzers — Ayla and Noah, both therapy dogs, and Bailey, a therapy dog in training, for their blessing.
Jim Reed’s eyes teared up when his 12-year-old West Highland white terrier, Fletchie, was blessed. Father Owens said an extra blessing for Barbara Reed, Reed’s wife, who passed last year. He said she always brought Fletchie to the blessing, and 10 years ago their photo together was even published in the newspaper.
Staff Photographer Lindy Dugger Cordell contributed to this report.
Two local churches celebrated the special bond between people and their pets Sunday.
The menagerie of animals at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church during the afternoon event included several breeds of dogs, some cats, a turtle and even a praying mantis.
They were brought to the church courtyard at East Fourth Avenue by their owners as part of the Blessing of the Animals. According to church officials, the ceremony is part of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
“We do this each year as part of that celebration,” said the Rev. Janice Bracken Wright, associate rector at St. Peter’s. “It’s a way to celebrate all of God’s creation and the gift that these animals are to our lives. This is a way to remind ourselves that they, too, are part of his creation.”
The blessing itself focuses on the role of God in people’s lives, as well as the role that animals play to their respective families.
“It acknowledges that animals are our friends and companions; it acknowledges that God is our Creator and preserver; and it acknowledges the bond and relationship people have with their animal companions,” Wright said. “It’s a way people can show the blessings that God has given them through their animals.”
David Powell brought his golden retriever, Chewie, to the ceremony.
“I think it’s a special way to recognize that we’re all God’s creatures and that we respect our animal companions,” Powell said. “We believe that animals, being part of God’s creation, are every bit as important to some people as their families or jobs.
“I think for some people who don’t have any close family members surviving or living nearby, their animals become even more important to them.”
Greg Tallant, the priest at St. Peter’s, said people bring a variety of creatures to the yearly blessing. While dogs and cats are by far the most common, this year saw a turtle and a praying mantis, and he said last year a snake was brought to the blessing.
“This is a way to show that God’s creation and love includes everything,” Tallant said. “This seems to mean a lot to people in our congregation. As a church, we try to be very involved with animals and groups such as the Humane Society.
“What interests me the most,” Tallant added, “is the ethical responsibility that I think we have, and how God calls us to care for and treat animals.”
At Transfiguration Episcopal Church on Coker Drive, Julie Martin of Rome said she’d seen the blessing of the pets in the newspaper before, but this was her first time attending the event. She brought her dog Braveheart, a terrier mix. She said she and her husband aren’t members of the church but enjoy attending because the people are so friendly.
“Animals have a particular place in blessing because they are sentient beings” said Father Michael Owens of Transfiguration, who led the blessing. Animals are different from other creations of God, he said. “Often they become part of our families and are treated almost like ‘little people,’ and as they are loved, they should be blessed.” He went to on to say that everyone is a minister and all things made by God should be loved and blessed.
“I am very impressed with the turnout,” said church verger David Hicks. “With the weather like it is, I was a little worried.” Turnout included dozens of dogs of all sizes, one hamster, one cat, one rabbit named Captain Henry Morgan, a list of geese that couldn’t personally attend, and two horses.
D’Ann Downey, president of Compassionate Paws Inc., brought her three schnauzers — Ayla and Noah, both therapy dogs, and Bailey, a therapy dog in training, for their blessing.
Jim Reed’s eyes teared up when his 12-year-old West Highland white terrier, Fletchie, was blessed. Father Owens said an extra blessing for Barbara Reed, Reed’s wife, who passed last year. He said she always brought Fletchie to the blessing, and 10 years ago their photo together was even published in the newspaper.
Staff Photographer Lindy Dugger Cordell contributed to this report.
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