PERU-ANIMAL BLESSING Furry and feathered friends flock to mass in Peru for annual blessing

Record ID: 567133

  • Title: PERU-ANIMAL BLESSING Furry and feathered friends flock to mass in Peru for annual blessing
  • Date: 12th October 2014
  • Summary: LIMA, PERU (OCTOBER 12, 2014) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH WHERE ANNUAL 'BLESSING OF THE PETS' TAKES PLACE CHURCHGOER HAVING PICTURE TAKEN WITH PET FERRET DOG DRESSED UP AS A LION AND WAITING TO BE BLESSED AUSTRALIAN PARAKEETS CARRIED IN CAGE FOR BLESSING MAN SHOWING OFF HIS PET HAMSTER VARIOUS OF PET OWNERS HOLDING PETS DURING THE CEREMONY CHURCHGOERS HOLDING PETS DURING CEREMONY PRIEST BLESSING PETS OUTSIDE ST. FRANCIS CHURCH DOG BEING BLESSED WITH HOLY WATER PRIEST SPRINKLING HOLY WATER ON PETS AND OWNERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRIEST, ROBERTO CARPIO, SAYING: "People who have feelings and understand the importance of an animal bring them here to be blessed because they also understand that it is one of God's creatures." PRIEST SPRINKLING HOLY WATER ON ANIMALS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) INES ALVARADO, OWNER OF A DACHSHUND DOG, SAYING: "Just as I seek the blessing of my children, of my family, he's (the dog) part of the family too." PRIEST SURROUNDED BY PET OWNERS WAITING TO HAVE THEIR PETS BLESSED
  • Embargoed: 27th October 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Peru
  • Country: Peru
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA6J0JI5VMNNE5OFQ6VYPP0KFN
  • Story Text: Dogs, cats, canaries and even a pet ferret attended a special mass to be blessed in Lima's St. Francis of Assisi church on Sunday (October 12).
    The animals were being presented to take part in the annual "Blessing of the Animals" mass, which honours St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
    Many of the pets were looking their most dapper for the occasion, with some sporting shirts and ties while others donned bright-coloured dresses.
    During the mass the priest asked for the animals to be treated with love and affection by their human owners. At the end of the service the animals were individually blessed with holy water.
    "People who have feelings and understand the importance of an animal bring them here to be blessed because they also understand that it is one of God's creatures," said Priest Roberto Carpio.
    Some Catholic pet owners in Lima bring their furry friends to this local church every year to take part in the mass.
    Ines Alvarado brought her little Dachshund for the special ceremony.
    "Just as I seek the blessing of my children, of my family, he's (the dog) part of the family too," said Alvarado.
    Pope Francis, formerly Jorge Bergoglio, took his papal name in reference to the 13th century saint who loved nature and is said to have preached to the birds in addition to his famous championing of the poor.

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