MEXICO: Animals receive traditional blessing on patron saint day

Record ID: 304915

  • Title: MEXICO: Animals receive traditional blessing on patron saint day
  • Date: 19th January 2012
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JANUARY 17, 2011) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WAITING OUTSIDE CHURCH WITH ANIMALS
  • Embargoed: 3rd February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico, Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Quirky,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA6RKW86JI1XQXAOLV57XXFWX5Y
  • Story Text: Beloved pets enjoyed the limelight in Mexico 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 -- both large and small -- to the San Bernardino Church in Mexico City. Each pet received a blessing and a sprinkling of holy water to protect them from danger and keep them healthy.
    "There are other animals that we use to get food, such as hens with eggs and more, cows with milk. The faithful come and bless them with belief and faith so that they be more prolific and productive," said Father Felipe Vega.
    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 and has been heartily embraced by animal lovers since.
    "For as long as I remember my siblings have brought all their animals, cows, calves, dogs, all the animals we had at home to bless them. As Catholics we consider that all things we have should be blessed, thanks be to God," said Catholic and pet owner Armando Flores.
    However, traditional supporters of the event lament the lack of animal diversity in the blessing.
    "I was at the parish and there were just dogs, no other animals. We are losing our belief in them (Catholic priests) because we used to take our horses, lambs, cows which still exist. But now the priest doesn't come out (to farms). Where are we going?," said church faithful, Amalia Salas.
    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.
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