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Pets receive St. Francis blessing at Holy Name

Pet parents brought their animals to celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, during a special outdoor Mass and blessing in Holy Name Cathedral's Courtyard on Oct. 1, 2017. Father Marek Smolka, associate pastor, celebrated the Mass and animal blessing. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Marek Smolka leads a Mass and pet blessing in Holy Name Cathedral’s courtyard on Oct. 1. The annual blessing celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Cosmos Salas looks over his new St Francis prayer card he received after the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Francisco and Lilly Salas hold onto their dog Cosmo during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Lynette Alicea holds onto Emma her Chihuahua during the Lord’s Prayer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Gigi sits quietly in a pink purse during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Marek Smolka, Associate Pastor and Director of Liturgy at Holy Name Cathedral, distributes Communion to pet parents during a special outdoor Mass and blessing in Holy Name Cathedral's courtyard on Oct. 1. People brought their animals for a blessing and to celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4), the patron saint of animals and the environment. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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