For 30 years, on the first Sunday in October, the Blessing of the Animals event is held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The event is held around the world in connection with the Feast day of Francis of Assisi.  St Francis of Assisi was known as the patron saint of animals and ecology. During the celebration at St. John Divine, New Yorkers bring pets to services for blessing and pet-friendly events held throughout the day. It has been a joyous occasion! With services, the fair, and a surprising variety of animals, it is a great time for people to gather during the fall of the year.

Below is a short video where people expressed their affection for their pets and the Blessing of the Animal event from 2018.

(56) All For Animals TV #54 – Blessing Of The Animals, Cathedral of St. John the Divine – YouTube

More About the Event

The Feast of Saint Francis is observed by Christians around the world every year on October 4 to commemorate the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. The Cathedral celebrates this Feast on the first Sunday of October. For over 30 years, the celebration has included a Festal Eucharist featuring the Procession of Animals and Paul Winter and Paul Halley’s Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) performed by the Paul Winter Consort, Cathedral Choir and visiting choirs followed by the St. Francis Day Fair and Blessing of the Animals on the Pulpit Green.