BAY HEAD — All Saints Episcopal Church opened its doors to the furry friends of the community, as Rev. Kathryn King offered blessings of health to any pet that walked into church.
Although the event had to be moved inside due to the rain last Saturday, over 30 people with their pets, mostly dogs, were able to have their pet receive the blessing of Saint Francis, according to Rev. King.
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian mystic and Catholic friar who founded the Franciscans. He was inspired to lead a life of poverty as an itinerant preacher. He is considered to be one of the most venerated figures in Christianity, and his day is on Oct. 4, so Rev. King said they wanted to do pet blessings near his day.
“It is a way to recognize the importance of pets in our lives. What of the interesting dynamics of pet blessings is people who don’t go to church themselves still want a pet blessing for their pet,” said Rev. King.
She said about two-thirds of all the blessings she gave were to people who were not from their parish, or even the Bay Head community, with some pets coming from Point Pleasant to Brick.
“We are giving a pet an abundance of life that God intends for all of us,” said Rev. King.
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