The Blessing Of The Animals God Blessed Us With

Outdoor statue of St. Francis of Assisi with his arms outstretched and animals surrounding him — The Blessing of the Animals often occurs on the Feast Day of St. Francis Assisi [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

In the beginning God created the world. He filled it with birds of the air, sea life, and animals that crawled on the ground. After making the animals, God created man and put him in charge of them. One way for humans to care for animals involves seeking God’s blessing on them. This request may be made by taking part in a formal service called The Blessing of the Animals.

Animals In The US

Pets comprise a huge portion of the animals with whom man comes into contact regularly. In 2024, pets resided in two-thirds of US households. In 97% of these almost 87 million homes, pet owners consider their animals to be a part of the family. And, according to statistics, pet ownership rose by 10% between 1988 and 2024.

While owners act as stewards of their pets by feeding, exercising, and obtaining veterinary care for them, the relationship is a two-way street. Animals can offer home security, companionship, and emotional support to their owners.

Military chaplain blesses military working dog before him at animal's handler's side — Working dogs as well as pet dogs can receive blessings [Image Wikimedia Commons]

The Blessing Of The Animals

Since God blessed man with animals, whether for pets or for working animals, some churches formally celebrate God’s creation and its creatures. Annually on October 4th, many Christians across the globe observe the Feast of St. Francis with prayers for creation and a blessing of animals. As the feast day of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and nature, October 4th offers a fitting time for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold such ceremonies.

Although commonly held October 4th, a ceremony for The Blessing of The Animals can be held at any time of the year. Early spring provides a good alternative to the October date. These ceremonies are best held during daylight hours and in an outdoor area such as a park or the churchyard since larger animals and livestock do not make a good fit for a sanctuary service.

Mural depicting The Blessing of The Animals in Hispanic Culture — Mural in Los Angeles depicting a ceremony for Blessing of the Animals in Hispanic culture [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Why Have A Service For The Blessing Of The Animals?

A blessing of the animals recognizes both God’s and man’s love, care, and concern for creation. Acknowledging the mutual interdependence between animals and humans strengthens the sense of importance of man’s stewardship of them.

Taking time to focus on God’s creation also produces awareness in believers of God’s blessings to them. Animals provide both physical (food) and emotional (companionship/security) benefits to man. Beyond that value, these creatures hold value in and of themselves as creations of God. The world God placed man in demonstrates His creation’s diversity and the need for believers to embrace a stewardship role towards it.

What Animals Can Be Blessed?

Any animal can be blessed, and many different ones have received blessings during blessing ceremonies. The animals which will be blessed depends on what people bring to the service. While certainly welcome, cats attending is typically discouraged due to the stress of the event on them.

A Blessing of the Animals Service an Episcopal Church in Newport Beach, California this month, reported an interesting turnout of creatures. Not only did pet dogs receive blessings, but so did a bearded dragon, scorpion, large turtle, hamster, and a ball python. Since the generally small ball pythons rate as the most popular pet pythons worldwide, they may appear at future services as well.

Close up view of a yellow and brown ball python form the side — Ball pythons have been blessed at services for The Blessing of the Animals [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Animals In The Bible

God’s placing creatures on the earth, in the skies, and in the seas during Creation may be the most familiar animal story in the Bible. However, many animals appear in the Good Book. Lambs died so their blood on the Hebrew slaves’ doors would protect the from the destroyer. Abram substituted a ram caught in a thicket for a sacrifice in place of His son Isaac. A great fish forced Jonah into a timeout to rethink his relationship with God. Ravens brought food to Elijah to sustain him. How would these stories have turned for the biblical characters without the presence of God’s creatures?

The biblical references to various creatures displays God’s creativity. The Good Book’s pages mention some 100 creatures. (See https://www.learnreligions.com/animals-in-the-bible-700169 which lists all those creatures in alphabetical order with a verse reference.) And the list, clearly, is not exhaustive. Strangely, the domestic cat is not mentioned, but a larger member of the feline family, the lion, is.

What A Blessing

No matter what animals appear in our lives, whether on a dinner plate or welcoming us at the front door, believers can express thank for them. Daily thanks to our Maker is appropriate. Taking a significant animal to a Blessing of The Animals service, though, takes thankfulness to a new level, emphasizing the importance of man’s stewardship of God’s creation.