St. Francis de Sales hosts annual blessing of the animals
Vernon. Dogs, cats and other pets gathered at St. Francis de Sales Church on Oct. 3 for an animal blessing ahead of the Oct. 4 feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
| 05 Oct 2026 | 12:28
Popele brought their pets to the animal blessing. (
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Barkley the Labradoodle closes his eyes as Fr. Christopher Barkhausen blesses him with holy water at the annual St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Animals. (
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Mostly dogs, an occasional cat and a critter that came out of a small carrier layered with straw attended the animal blessing at St. Francis de Sales Church on Oct. 3.
The official Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi is Oct. 4, the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.