Blessing of Animals and Petting Zoo at St. Stephen’s

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will hold a Blessing of the Animals ceremony on the church’s front steps Sunday, Oct. 5, at 12 noon. The church is located at 351 Main St.                                                        

The tradition of blessing animals developed around the Oct. 4 Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, who recognized and proclaimed the goodness of God in all created things.                                                

“All pets are welcome to this brief (and slightly chaotic) blessing,” said the Rev. Whitney Altopp, rector of St. Stephen’s. “We bless the animals as a recognition of their blessing in our lives.” Each animal will receive a medallion of St. Francis.                                                                                                

Beginning about a half hour before the 12 noon ceremony a petting zoo, also in honor of St. Francis, will be available on the church’s grounds. The animals, from the Pied Piper Farm in South Salem, include bunnies, ducks and a goat.