Animal Blessing

Sunday closest to October 4. In the Roman Catholic tradition, October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis (1182-1226) was a monk who founded the contemporary order of Franciscans. He was known for his vow of poverty and his special connection to animals, among many other things. Many Unitarian Universalists have picked up on the Catholic tradition of blessing animals, particularly pets, on this day. St. Francis may receive little attention at this service, but a number of congregations will bless pets at the service. Some people bring their pets to church, others bring photographs of their pets; others have their pets blessed by naming them. Some congregations celebrate this service at other, variable times of the year.
Brenda Miller offers a compelling retelling of her first experience with such a service in her essay, Blessing of the Animals (PDF, 14 pages), which can be found in her Skinner House book, Listening Against the Stone: Selected Essays.
From Tapestry of Faith Curricula
Skinner House Publications
- Child's Book of Animal Blessings and Poems, edited by Eliza Blanchard
- In Praise of Animals: A Treasury of Poems, Quotations and Readings, edited by Edward Searl
Unitarian Universalist Perspectives
- UU World Articles on the Blessing of the Animals
- The Souls of Animals and Goodbye Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet by Gary Kowalski
Search Words for Worship Services
Displaying 1 - 10 of 13.
Blessing
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Blessed Are All Living Things (WorshipWeb)By Maureen KilloranTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Caring, Direct Experience, Family, Generosity, Gratitude, Interdependence, Love, Nature, Relationships, Responsibility, Secular
Chalice Lighting
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All Animals Are Our Relatives (WorshipWeb)By Florence CaplowTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Interdependence, Nature, Relationships, Secular
Complete Service
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A Blessing of the Animals (WorshipWeb)By Katherine A JeschTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Direct Experience, Earth, Gratitude, Nature, Presence, Unitarian Universalism
Meditation
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Blessing of the Animals—St. Francis Day (WorshipWeb)By Thomas RhodesTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Connections, Earth, Earth-Centered, Humility, Love, Nature, Relationships
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Grateful for Creatures from A to Z (WorshipWeb)By Gary KowalskiTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Children, Direct Experience, Earth, Environment, Nature, Secular
Music
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You Rescued Me (WorshipWeb)By Jake TidmoreTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Direct Experience, Love, Nature, Relationships, Salvation, Secular
Opening
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The Calling of the Creatures (WorshipWeb)By Ian W. RiddellTagged as: Animals, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Nature, Secular
Poetry
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When Your Best Friend Has Four or So Legs (WorshipWeb)By Theresa I. SotoTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Friendship, Humanism, Relationships, Secular
Quote
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When Life Is Sacred (WorshipWeb)By Albert SchweitzerTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Connections, Earth, Humanism, Interdependence, Sacred
Reading
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The Power of Conferring a Blessing (WorshipWeb)By Marilynne RobinsonTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Animals, Awe, Calling, Christianity, Faith, Leadership, Ministry, Power, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder