This Saturday, October 2, Christ Church Episcopal commemorates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with its annual Blessing of the Animals.
The blessing will take place at 10:00 a.m., rain or shine, outdoors at 431 Union Street. "All furry, feathery, and creepy crawly animal friends" are welcome, but they should be on a leash or in a carrier or crate. For pets who don't do well outside or in crowds, you can bring a photograph of your pet to receive a blessing.
Just beware the City of Hudson Code at § 70-14:
ReplyDelete"A. It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit any exotic animal on a public street, sidewalk or public park in the City of Hudson, except as permitted pursuant to a license duly issued under Chapter 67, Article I hereof.
"B. 'Exotic animal' is defined as any reptile, arachnid, insect or amphibian longer than four inches."
Not to worry. In my experience, the animals who show up to be blessed are mostly dogs, although Jamison and James have been known to bring their parrot.
DeleteBut birds are dinosaurs! Oh I see, only reptiles and amphibians are "exotic."
DeleteI hear there are lots of boas in Hudson. I hope they don't feel discriminated against!
ReplyDeleteIn my old neighborhood in Milwaukee there was an Italian Catholic Church that had an annual Blessing of the Animals which also included a parade, it was a beautiful thing to see.
ReplyDeleteCertainly this type of event isn't limited to Hudson. Lenox, MA, has had this for over 15 years. I think all types of animals were welcome there, as long as they were properly restrained.
ReplyDeleteI hate to bring this up, get all political and all BUT if Francis loved all [ confirm: ALL ] God's creatures and followed God's example of kindness, compassion and love for all creation why are we OK with the billions of those very same creatures suffering all around the world? So we bless them and then torture and slaughter with the next breath - what's up with that?
ReplyDeleteThese are pets with names! We only kill un-named animals to eat...but don't worry, if you eat at Grazin' all the burgers were previously extremely happy cows eager to give their muscle to a good cause like our insatiable desire for meat.
DeleteSure, I see your point but that's not what St. Francis was aiming at officially. The blessing is for ALL creatures. No names or pet certification required. There's no test on how cute or loyal they are either. As for Grazin's spiel, gee, I don't buy it. Did the happy cows sign a release form before, you know, the final act? If they did and do, I'd like to talk to them about it. Perhaps I can dissuade them because it appears they have a choice and which one would they choose? Because coercion, like corralling and electric prods, means that they are not truly happy giving up their muscle. I'll take a wild guess and say they would chose to munch grasses with their pals forever more.
DeleteExactly, thanks for making my point in a clearer fashion!
ReplyDeleteYes! Blessed are all the well behaved pets that arrive tomorrow with their pet parents! And blessed are all creatures wherever they reside, no matter what they look like, cuddly or not and whether they have pet parents for they are equally deserving just the same.
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