Father Michael O'Connell, of the Basilica of Saint Mary and the Church of the Ascension in North Minneapolis, explains the purpose and act of animal blessing.
Father Michael O'Connell, of the Basilica of Saint Mary and the Church of the Ascension in North Minneapolis, explains the purpose and act of animal blessing.
SPEAKER 1: What is the purpose of the blessing?
SPEAKER 2: Well, the purpose is to-- I think the overall purpose is to make a strong statement of acknowledging the blessedness of all creation. And certainly, we, humans, feel blessed, but I'm not sure that we extend that care for the rest of creation. And so this ceremony is a way to celebrate that.
And, of course, it's on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. And I think in our Western tradition, he stands for that kind of statement of sacredness for all creation.
SPEAKER 1: What actually happens if you bring Fido up to the church?
SPEAKER 2: Well, we gather all the critters in the side yard at 6:45 and greet them. There are maybe 500 or 600 of them there, and we have an initial greeting, and then we pray them on into the church up the front steps. It looks a bit like Noah's Ark.
We get inside, and we have music. In fact, we have a special piece of new music tonight, commissioned by the Minnesota Composers Forum. And we sing hymns, and we actually bless each animal if their owner wishes us to.
SPEAKER 1: Now, do you generally get-- I would imagine most of the animals would be fairly typical, but I saw a picture in the paper the other day of an elephant at a church in New York. That kind of thing happen here?
SPEAKER 2: Well, we weren't able to get an elephant, but we have had a horse the last three years. We had a pair of ferrets last year, and birds, and goldfish, and every kind of cat and dog, and a lot of different exotic animals.
SPEAKER 1: Is it open only to Catholics and their pets?
SPEAKER 2: Absolutely not. I mean, we accept Lutheran pets and Methodist pets and Jewish pets and even pagan pets.
[LAUGHTER]
SPEAKER 1: And I understand people get blessed, too, at the ceremony.
SPEAKER 2: Well, if they would like, we'd certainly extend the blessing to the people, as well. I think it's more specifically focused on the animal.
SPEAKER 1: Right. Well, I know you're having some fun with this, but the purpose is a serious one, is it not?
SPEAKER 2: It's very serious. People have extraordinary care for their pets, and we acknowledge that. And we feel that anytime anyone cares for some other live element of creation, that really extends that sense of blessing out, so it's very serious.
SPEAKER 1: And do people need a reservation, or do they just show up with their pet this evening?
SPEAKER 2: Just show up on what I call the East side yard, the side that faces downtown, and you'll have a wonderful time.
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