Annual pet blessings take place around the archdiocese

Pet blessings took place at churches around the archdiocese in celebration of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on or near Oct. 4, recalling the saint's love for all creation, especially animals. (Karen Callaway and Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Kindergarten teacher Lori Campione holds Opie the guinea pig during a pet blessing with her class at St. Walter-St. Benedict School in Blue Island on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4, 2022. Opie is the class pet and received a blessing from Father Dennis Lyle, pastor. Students also brought photos of their pets or a stuffed animal to join in on the fun of blessing their classroom pet.
The students gather with Father Lyle in front of a large statue of St. Francis.
Father Lyle speaks with a student who brought a stuffed animal for a blessing.
Students hold up photos of their pets and stuffed animals for a blessing.
Father Lyle blesses Opie and the stuffed animals.
Kindergarten teacher Lori Campione holds Opie as the students pet him following the service.
Father Joseph Mulcrone, a resident priest at St. Francis Borgia Parish, 8033 W Addison St., blesses pets on Oct. 1, 2022. Mulcrone joined Father Marek Smolka, pastor, in blessing pets that day.
A family takes a selfie with their dog.
A French bulldog poses for a photo.
Father Mulcrone signs and speaks a blessing.
A couple poses with their dog after the blessing.
Smolka blesses pets and owners.
A dog awaits its blessing.
Father Przemek Tomczyk, associate pastor, pets a cat during the pet blessing at St. Mary of Vernon Parish in Indian Creek on Oct. 2, 2022.
A dog jumps while waiting for its blessing.
Two dogs sniff each other while awaiting the blessing.
A dog with a cast awaits its blessing.
Father Tomczyk prepares to bless a dog.
George and Frances Tritthardt hold their pet Sunshine after the cockatiel was blessed. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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