Blessing of the Animals


Blessing of the Animals is a special day

at Grace Church. Normally it's held annually,

right outside the church's front-door (with parish hall as a backup venue, in case of rain). 

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People who would like to have their pets receive blessing by our minister

can bring them on leash or in a crate

for an unforgettable day.

Although dogs and cats are the usual attendees, we occasionally have more exotic participants - like a bearded dragon!​

Most animals are very well-behaved, and we simply ask owners to make sure they remain obedient as they go for their blessing.


A smiling boy in a striped sweater holds a clear plastic pet carrier with a small bearded dragon inside

"But now ask the beasts,

and let them teach you;

And the birds of the heavens,

and let them tell you." 

Job 12:7 (NASB)

A woman in a tan jacket holds a brown tabby cat wearing a bright aqua harness outdoors in front of the stone church building.
Smiling girl wearing a blue Chicago Cubs hoodie holds a small black Scottish terrier dog outdoors next to a tree
A woman in a baseball cap crouches beside a black stroller, blowing kisses to her 2 small dogs perched in the stroller seat
A smiling young woman in glasses holds her harnessed brown dog outdoors, w/several people & other dogs nearby.
A man & a red-haired woman sit on the stone front steps of the church, waiting for an outdoor ceremony, w/2 large dogs
A group of people gathers w/their pets, near the stone sign on the church's front lawn, to await the blessing ceremony
Pastor Charlie stands in white robes w/a green stole, on the sidewalk outside the stone church, holding papers & smiling
A husband & wife sit together w/their small, harnessed dog on a stone bench outside the church, holding a crate w/2 ferrets

A family of ferrets joins us

Older couple seated on a lawn bench with a black dog; people and a parked car in the background.
A couple in sunglasses stands outdoors in front of the church building w/their leashed dog
The Pastor reaches down to bless a gray pet cat in a light blue crate

Kitty gets blessed

Scruffy tan dog wearing a bright yellow flower-shaped plushy collar, standing on pavement.
A young boy sits on the grass next to a large red and yellow plastic toy car, with a harnessed tabby cat lounging nearby
Pastor Charlie blesses a golden retriever beside a seated woman on the stone bench w/the street running behind her
An auburn-haired woman in yellow dress w/denim jacket carries 2 pet crates on the grass outside our stone church w/2 children
Elderly man in a wheelchair sits w/his smiling wife behind him & a dog beside them on a sunny sidewalk

An Order for the Blessing

of Pets

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"Hear our humble prayer, O God,

for our friends the animals,

especially for animals who are suffering;

for all that are overworked

and underfed and cruelly treated;

for all wistful creatures in captivity

that beat against their bars;

for all that are in pain or dying;

for all that must be put to death.

We ask for them all your mercy and pity.

Make us true friends of animals

and to share in the blessing of the merciful;

for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

 Amen.