- Title: Pets show up at church in Mexico for St. Anthony Day blessing
- Date: 17th January 2020
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JANUARY 17, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS, PET OWNER BRINGING HIS TWO DOGS TO CHURCH FOR BLESSING ON ST. ANTHONY'S DAY PRIEST ADMINISTERING BLESSING DOG AT CEREMONY PRIEST MAKING SIGN OF CROSS VARIOUS, PET OWNERS WITH THEIR DOGS VARIOUS, PRIEST SPRINKLING DOGS WITH HOLY WATER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SINGER WHO BROUGHT HER DOG CAMILA TO CHURCH FOR A BLESSING, MARIA PEREGRINA, SAYING: "They are God's creation and he sends them to many people as company for those of us who can't have children or who can't have another with us to accompany and care for us. They are unconditional friends that always greet you with happiness, no matter if you have money." VARIOUS, DOGS AND PET OWNERS AT CEREMONY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TEACHER WHO BROUGHT HER DOG DEMETRIO TO CHURCH FOR A BLESSING, MARIA GUADALUPE GONZALEZ, SAYING: "(We came) to keep up the tradition, we've always had dogs and we've always brought them for a blessing on the day of animals. We like that they are blessed by God." VARIOUS, DOGS AND PET OWNERS AT BLESSING CEREMONY
- Embargoed: 31st January 2020 22:30
- Keywords: Catholic Mexico Pets Saint Anthony animals blessing church religion tradition
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001BWKBXVN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Beloved pets enjoyed the limelight in Mexico City on Friday (January 17) at a blessing ceremony to mark the feast day of Saint Anthony, known as the protector of animals.
A smattering of pet owners arrived with their beloved animals for a blessing and a sprinkling of holy water to protect them from danger and misfortune.
January 17 marks the anniversary of the death of Saint Anthony the Abbott, a fourth-century Christian who gave his inheritance to the poor and led a monastic life in the desert with only animals for company.
The old-age Catholic tradition was brought to Mexico during Spanish colonial rule by Franciscan monks in the 1500s and has been heartily embraced by animal lovers in Mexico City's southern borough of Xochimilco due to the prominence of farmhouses in the area.
St. Anthony the Abbott was born in Egypt on the banks of the river Nile to a Christian family, and is believed to have lost both his parents, who were very wealthy, at an early age.
He then chose to reject the life of luxury his heritage afforded him, giving his riches away to the poor in order to pursue a solitary life of spiritual enlightenment in the company of animals.
(Production: Josue Gonzalez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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