Blessing of the Animals at St. Anne’s

The annual blessing of companion animals, to be offered in St. Anne’s churchyard in Church Circle, is in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, whose Feast day in the Episcopal Church is October 4. Churches worldwide, including Episcopal parishes such as St. Anne’s, traditionally honor St. Francis’s memory with the practice of blessing animals on or near his traditional Feast day. The custom is ancient and dates before the time of Francis as part of the celebration of the Passover in Judaism. Pony rides, music and face painting begin at 12:45 p.m. in the churchyard, with the Blessing of the Animals at 1 p.m.