Worshippers brought cats, dogs, birds, turtles and fish for the annual benediction of animals conducted every Jan. 17 in Catholic churches. (Photos by Sandra Jontz/S&S)
Worshippers brought cats, dogs, birds, turtles and fish for the annual benediction of animals conducted every Jan. 17 in Catholic churches. (Photos by Sandra Jontz/S&S)
Gico waits in his carrier to receive the benediction. ()
Father Pier Paolo Mantelli, priest at the Madonna del Carmine Catholic Church in Pozzuoli, a suburb of Naples, flicks holy water on the crowd of worshippers who gathered for the annual blessing of animals in observance of Feast Day of Saint Anthony of Egypt, a patron saint and protector of the lower animals. ()
POZZUOLI — It wasn’t exactly Noah’s Ark.
But on Saturday, animals accompanied by their owners filed into churches throughout Italy for the annual benediction observance as the faithful paid tribute to St. Anthony of Egypt, a patron saint and protector of the lower animals, particularly pigs.
"Today, we ask God to look over animals who daily give us comfort, give us joy, those who work for man to make our lives easier," said Father Pier Paolo Mantelli, priest at the Madonna del Carmine Catholic Church in Pozzuoli, a suburb of Naples.
Every year on the saint’s Feast Day — Jan. 17 — worshippers seek a priestly blessing for their four-legged family members. Or those that are winged, those that slither, or perhaps swim. At Madonna del Carmine, worshippers attended Mass with cats, turtles, fish, birds and dogs in tow.
For Maria Giliberti, the St. Anthony benediction is like a baptism for her cat, Gico.
"It’s very important for me. It’s a protection, sort of like a baptism for animals."
In Rome too, on St. Anthony’s day, the religious service termed the "Benediction of Beasts" takes place annually, with the pope conveying special blessings for animals big and small.
During Saturday’s Mass, Mantelli pleaded for parishioners to extend their love for animals to the strays seen on streets. "We must have heart, for all animals," he pleaded, asking parishioners to avoid abandoning animals and to call animal control for those that are sick or ill on the streets so "they not suffer."
Patrizia Cervera brings her dachshund, Blue Angel, every year for the benediction observance. For her, the annual ceremony is a benediction to help protect her beloved pet.
"And for me, it’s a way to thank God for the blessing he has give me," the Pozzuoli resident said. "Blue Angel’s companionship, it’s a blessing."
