- Title: Animals, big and small, dress up for St Anthony blessing in Mexico
- Date: 17th January 2017
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JANUARY 17, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CHURCH OF SAN BERNARDINO DE SIENA WOMAN PUTTING HOLY WATER ON DOG'S HEAD CRUCIFIX IN CHURCH TWO WOMEN ARRIVING TO THE CHURCH WITH A DOG DOG BARKING AT CAMERA PRIEST BLESSING PETS AT CHURCH ENTRANCE VARIOUS OF PARISHIONERS WITH THEIR PETS DURING BLESSING BOY, HOLDING A ROOSTER, LOOKING ON PRIEST SPRINKLING PETS WITH HOLY WATER DURING THE BLESSING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FATHER JESUS CONTRERAS, SAYING: "The people in their joy, in this loving expression, bring their animals. Now we see, little dogs, kittens, domestic pets and we must learn to recognize that it does not replace the person, but together with the person, entertains the person. It's not only a matter of treating them well but one has to create an environment where these animals are part of the manifestation of God." PARISHIONERS LEAVING CHURCH WITH PETS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ANA KAREN, PARISHIONER BLESSING HER PET, SAYING: "I would tell you that the father (the oldest of the dogs) is my son and the others (the father's pups) are my grandchildren. They are part of me. Seeing as I don't have children yet, I live for them at this moment. They are my joy and we are here to teach them." A PET CANARY IN A CAGE MORE OF PARISHIONERS WITH PETS OUTSIDE CHURCH CATS IN A CARRIER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JUAN CARLOS ROBALO, PARISHIONER BLESSING HER PET SAYING: "Here in Xochimilco, it's a tradition that on St. Anthony's Day we bring our domestic animals to get blessings. We used to bring hens, turkeys, pigs, horses, but as the city has grown, it is no longer possible to have them here, so we mostly bring our dogs." PRIEST BLESSING ANIMALS WOMAN PLAYING WITH HER DOG PRIEST AND PARISHIONERS LEAVING
- Embargoed: 31st January 2017 21:43
- Keywords: Catholic faithful animal lovers church Mexico City blessings pets dogs
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Human Interest/Brights/Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0015ZH03SZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Beloved pets enjoyed being the centre of attention in Mexico City on Tuesday (January 17) at a blessing ceremony to mark the feast day of Saint Anthony, known as the protector of animals.
Pet owners arrived with their animals at the San Bernardino Church 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.
"The people in their joy, in this loving expression, bring their animals. Now we see, little dogs, kittens, domestic pets and we must learn to recognize that it does not replace the person, but together with the person, entertains the person. It's not only a matter of treating them well but one has to create an environment where these animals are part of the manifestation of God," said Father Jesus Contreras.
Many of those who brought their pets here for the blessing, say their animals are part of their families.
"I would tell you that the father (the oldest of the dogs) is my son and the others (the father's pups) are my grandchildren. They are part of me. Seeing as I don't have children yet, I live for them at this moment. They are my joy and we are here to teach them," said parishioner Ana Karen.
Parishioners mostly bring dogs for the blessing, but cats, chickens, birds and other animals were also on hand.
"Here in Xochimilco, it's a tradition that on St Anthony's Day we bring our domestic animals to get blessings. We used to bring hens, turkeys, pigs, horses, but as the city has grown, it is no longer possible to have them here, so we mostly bring our dogs," said another parishioner, Juan Carlos Robalo.
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. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
