ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI BLESSING OF PETS

The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is October 4, and in honor of his renowned love for animals, parishes and schools on three islands celebrated with a traditional blessing of pets.

Fr. John Mark blessed pets at Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas on October 4.

Fr. Charles Crespo blessed a dozen dogs outside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John on September 30.

Fr. Cecil Corneille blessed pets outside the Youth Center at St. Joseph Church on St. Croix on October 4.

All creatures great and small were blessed at a block party between Holy Cross Church and St. Mary School on St. Croix on October 7. The festivities included games, food, live music and donkey rides. Participants had their photographs taken with their pets and imprinted on t-shirts.