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Blessing of the Animals
Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: September - 2022
Every dog (and cat, and, yes, Venus Fly Trap!) has its day – Sunday, October 2, is The Blessing of the Animals at The Village Green Commons. For more information visit goodshepherdofcashiers.com
On Sunday, October 2, local furry and featheredfriends will don their Sunday best and flock to theBlessing of the Animals event at The Village GreenCommons in Cashiers.An egalitarian gathering attended by slithering snakes, fidgetyrabbits, caged cats and fluffed dogs, the occasion is a collabora-tion with the Village Green and area churches: the EpiscopalChurch of the Good Shepherd, Cashiers United Methodist,Christ Anglican Church, Grace Community Church, GlenvilleWesleyan Church and Christ Church of the Valley.Always a fun and a whimsical event, the Blessing of theAnimals is an outdoor worship service held each year on theSunday in October closest to the Feast Day of St. Francisof Assisi.Legend has it that St. Francis had a close connection with allof nature, including animals; that he preached to the birds andby making the sign of the cross was able to tame a wolf thatterrorized the small village of Gubbio.As Alison Schultz, Assistant Rector at the Church of the GoodShepherd explained, “By doing the blessing of the animals, it’smore than just our trying to bless them. It’s about acknowledg-ing the blessing that they are to us. The service emphasizes thebond of love and respect that animals have with their humans,and that humans have with all of creation. It’s a way to worshipthe God who created all living things and a way for us to givethanks to all living things.”The event is always free to the public and their pets. Seniors,families, singles, and children are encouraged to bring theirwell-behaved pet. Though cats and dogs are the most frequentvisitors, Schultz said that she has also blessed snakes andhamsters and that the funniest thing she every blessed was aVenus Fly Trap.Faith leaders will bless the menagerie of participants withprayers and scriptures that relate to creation. Those with petscan choose to get “blessed,” by the clergy, who will go aroundto each animal and lay hands on them.Attendees are urged to consider giving to the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society. Donations of cash, petfood orgently used blankets and towels, unscented cat litter and MilkBones are all needed and welcomed. Participants are askedto bring their pets on leash or caged and must be under theirowners’ control at all times. Activities begin at 11:00 AM.
by Marlene Osteen
