Oct. 3, 2011 By Christian Murray
The Blessing of the Animals took place at All Saints Episcopal Church in Sunnyside on Sunday.
About 25 families went to the 46th Street church accompanied by their pets.
At this year’s ceremony it was just the canines that showed up. “In the past there were dogs, cats and even turtles,” said Luke Adams, a long-time neighborhood resident.
Pet owners spoke of how much they loved their animal and why they wanted a blessing for their pet. Then the blessings began. Father Joseph Jerome visited each animal and gave each one of them their own special blessing.
The event is held around the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his love for all creatures. In many big churches a procession of cats to horses are part of the blessing.
