Each year, a variety of creatures show up for the annual Blessing of the Animals and Community Pet Fair. They are there to be blessed and to possibly teach a bit about themselves. In the past, Fr. Daniel and Fr. David have blessed a goat, a horse, some worms and many other creatures. This year, the event will feature the opossum as well as the exotic animals – including snakes – from the Sheriff’s Dept. Animal Control Division.
The Blessing and Fair is sponsored by the Saint Francis Pet Ministry of Christ Episcopal Church (8951 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania) in honor of St. Francis. Francis of Assisi was an Italian friar, beloved saint, and one of the most venerated individuals in Christian history, who is widely known for his love of nature and animals. His feast day (Oct. 4) is often observed with a service of the Blessing of the Animals. Please join us on Oct. 5 (rain date Oct. 12) for this popular event, which is open to all pets and humans in the community.
This year, in response to the large number of pets who wanted to blessed last year, we will have two priests doing the blessing – Fr. Daniel Johnson OPA, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, and Fr. David Casey OPA, rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Colonial Beach. Bring all your pets! Dogs, cats, birds, turtles, hamsters, etc… stuffed and plush animals… photos if your pets can’t make it or are too nervous to appear in public! (Pet cremains cannot be blessed, but the priest can say a prayer for them.) Come even if you don’t have a pet to bless and just want to be part of this wonderful event and see all these critters gathered. There will be treats for pets and humans alike to enjoy.