Morningside Heights Church Holds Annual 'Blessing Of The Animals' Service
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - All of God's creatures are welcome at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, including the four-legged or winged variety.
Owners and their pets lined up for the annual 'Blessing of the Animals' ceremony offered at the church.
WCBS 880's Monica Miller reports
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A llama, a mini horse, falcons, dogs and even a camel were offered blessings at the Morningside Heights church to celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
"I think pets are like people for their owners and it's interesting that we can get them kind of baptized," a dog owner told WCBS 880's Monica Miller. "If we didn't do it, we were not going to hear the end of it."
Ted the camel has been blessed at the church in previous years.
Ted's handler Bambi from the Dawn Animal Shelter said she got special requests to bring Ted back to the church.
"To have a day like this, it's very special," Bambi told Miller.
An outdoor fair was held following the service.
Have you taken your pet for blessing at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine? Share your comments below...
