Maggie Edgar watches from the perch in her stroller as mom, Lauren, brother, Shane, and Stella Blohm hang out with Jax at St. Elizabeth.
Students at schools around the Diocese of Wilmington marked the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi by bringing their pets – or a reasonable facsimile thereof – to blessings of the animals.
From St. Elizabeth School in Wilmington to Most Blessed Sacrament School in Ocean Pines, Md., there were four-legged creatures on leashes or in cages. Some youngsters at Immaculate Conception School in Elkton, Md., brought stuffed animals to stand in for the real thing, and at St. Peter the Apostle School in New Castle, Deacon Chris Moran blessed as many photos as he did actual animals.
“You blessed us with living creatures. We especially thank you for bringing our pets,” Deacon Moran said.
Deacon Moran said he enjoys hanging out with the students and their pets each October. “Short of baptisms or weddings, this is my favorite thing to do.”
Among the pets at St. Peter’s were Sunny, a hamster belonging to fifth-grader Kaitlyn Shontz, and Isis and Sasha, two dogs who live with seventh-grader Isabella Susi. Isabella said Isis, a 13-year-old American eskimo, “needed to be blessed to get her eye better,” while 3-year-old German shepherd Sasha was enjoying the canine company.
Catholic school students take part in the Blessing of the animals on Oct. 4, 2019.
Catholic students take part in the Blessing of the animals on Oct. 4, 2019 with Father James Yeakel.
Catholic students take part in the Blessing of the animals on Oct. 4, 2019 with Father James Yeakel of Immaculate Conception School.
Catholic school students take part in the Blessing of the animals on Oct. 4, 2019.
Shane Edgar, middle, alongside mother Lauren Edgar on left with Stella Blohm, far back, poses with Edgar family furry friend Jax at St. Elizabeth Parish in Wilmington on Oct.3, 2019.
Father Norman Carroll offers a blessing of the animals at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington on Oct. 3, 2019.
Deacon Chris Moran blesses animals at St. Peter the Apostle in New Castle on Oct. 4, 2019.
Ursuline Academy students far left Siena Rappucci,Ella Peroleo, and Olivia Panunto pose during Blessing of the animals at Ursuline Academy on Oct. 4, 2019.
Ursuline Academy students pose with pet photos during Blessing of the animals on Oct. 4, 2019.
Little friend meets big friend at Most Blessed Sacrament on Oct. 4, 2019.
Catholic school students take part in the Blessing of the animals at Most Blessed Sacrament School.
Catholic students take part in the Blessing of the animals on October 4, 2019.
Deacon Chris Moran at St. Peter the Apostle School.
Deacon Chris Moran blesses a hamster and lots of photos of animals at St. Peter the Apostle School.
