Blessing of Pets at St Brigid's Church in Derry

The torrential rain abated and the sun shone, temporarily, for the Blessing of the Pets by Fr Stephen Ward outside St Brigid’s Church, Carnhill, in the Parish of the Three Patrons.

Saturday afternoon’s blessing took place on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, during the Season of Creation 2025, with an enthusiastic group of dog owners and their pets braving the elements.

The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since the late Pope Francis established September 1 as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

IN PICTURES: Special blessing ceremony of pets and animals in Derry for feast of St Francis of Assisi

The special nlessing of [ets and animals took place at St Brigid’s Church, Carnhill

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It is marked throughout the Christian world from September 1, to October 4 - the Feast of St Francis of Assisi - and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment.

The Blessing of the Pets recognises the importance of the family pet within many homes where they are often a central part of the fabric of family life. In their care of the family pet, both adults and children are, in a very real way, practicing for a wider care and awareness of all God’s creation.

In his second encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis wrote: “We are called to recognise that other living beings have a value of their own in God’s eyes, by their mere existence they bless him and give him glory.”

Fr Ward said he was delighted and surprised with the turnout for the Blessing of the Pets given the poor weather.

He added: “We are gathered today to celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi and throughout our scriptures, particularly in the Book of Daniel, we often hear about all creation giving glory and praise to God.

“So, we thought what better way to do that than by blessing our pets, which follows the example of St Francis of Assisi in giving thanks for all God’s creation and giving it its proper place,” smiled Fr Ward.

Co-organiser of the Blessing of the Pets, Joe Boucher, who belongs to the parish’s Care for Creation group described the turnout as “amazing”.

“It was lovely. It was just a great gathering, a great occasion and the dogs were all very well-behaved,” he said.

Joe Martin, who also belongs to the Care for Creation group explained the group had been going for eight years.

He added: “Originally it was a concept of Pope Francis’. We understand he held a Blessing of the Pets in Rome at some stage, so we felt this was an opportunity for us to do something locally and that people might get involved. We are looking forward to the future when maybe there will be other events like this.”