‘All creatures of our God and king’
October 24, 2023
Father Joseph White, at left, who is parochial vicar at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Houston, blesses a cat during a pet blessing ceremony to honor the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4. (Photo by Ashley Soriano/St. John Vianney Catholic Church)
PHOTOS: Pet blessings around the Archdiocese
HOUSTON — Catholics across the Archdiocese turned out at their parishes with their pet animals in tow to celebrate the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of creation and animals. Many parishes, including St. John Vianney, St. Mary Magdalene in Humble, Shrine of the True Cross in Dickinson, Sts. Simon and Jude in The Woodlands and Sts. Peter and Paul in Bellville joined others to mark the special occasion.
The annual celebration unites parishioners and their pets. Parishioners brought many animals, including chickens, lizards, guinea pigs, turtles, birds, as well as cats and dogs.