Friday, October 8, 2010

Blessing All God's Creatures, Big and Small. And a Banana Too




















They circled the field in front of All Saints Episcopal Church in Florence, SC, on a cool October morning. Waiting for the priests to make their rounds.

The blessing of the animals is held in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and for his love of all God’s creatures.

It was quite the menagerie. The cages at the zoo must have been empty. St. Francis would have been proud.

They came alive and stuffed - not the trophy type hanging above the mantle. And in singles and in pairs. There were even photos subbing for those too cumbersome to fit in the backseat. 

There were cats, dogs, birds, ferrets, fish, turtles, hermit crabs and a guinea pig or two.

And we can’t forget Banana, the California Kingsnake.

One by one and two by two, the animals received their blessings. “…a blessing of health and wellness. And that they may continue to be a source of joy and wonder for their owners. For the rest of their lives. Amen.”








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