Blessing of the Animals: Remembering Our Beloved Companions
Each year, St. Paul’s Monastery celebrates the Blessing of the Animals, a joyful reminder of God’s tender love for all creation. It is a time when we bring our beloved pets—those who walk beside us today and those who have already crossed the Rainbow Bridge—before God for blessing and remembrance.
For many of us, our pets are not just animals. They are true companions, family members, and steady sources of unconditional love. They teach us what it means to be present, to live simply, and to rejoice in the goodness of each day (and often demonstrate to us the love that God has for all of us). This year’s Blessing of the Animals offers a special invitation to those who grieve the loss of a pet. You are encouraged to bring a photo, a collar, or even a stuffed animal representing your companion, to remember them in prayer and gratitude.
A Personal Story of Loss and Grace
In 2020, during the uncertainty and isolation of the pandemic, I experienced the painful loss of my dog, Foxie. She had been my steadfast friend (she lived 15 wonderful years), a source of comfort in quiet moments and joy in daily life. When she suddenly began having seizures, I rushed her to the vet. Pandemic restrictions at the time meant that I was not supposed to enter the building, that I was to remain outside as she faced her final moments.
But in an act of compassion, this vet (who I had never met before) quietly set aside the rules and invited me in. I was able to hold Foxie as she passed, whispering words of love and gratitude. That moment—both heartbreaking and sacred—remains etched in my soul. It was a reminder of the extraordinary grace of being present for one another in life’s most tender passages.
Benedictine Values and the Love of Creation
The Rule of St. Benedict reminds us to “treat all things as vessels of the altar.” At first glance, it may seem that Benedict is speaking only of material objects. Yet his wisdom calls us beyond an attachment to “things” and urges us instead to extend reverence and care to all of creation—every person, creature, and element of life—as we would to the sacred vessels of the altar. Our pets, who so often reflect God’s unconditional love back to us, are among the greatest reminders of this call. They welcome us home with joy, offer comfort without judgment, and live fully in the present moment.
In Benedictine spirituality, hospitality extends beyond the guest at our door to all creatures in God’s household. Stability teaches us to stay rooted in gratitude for the lives we are given to share. Community reminds us that love is never lost, even when death changes the form of our relationships. Our connection to our beloved pets continues, as memory and spirit keep them close.
An Invitation to Remember
The Blessing of the Animals is not only a celebration for the dogs on leashes, the cats in carriers, or the birds in cages—it is also a holy space for remembrance. If you have loved and lost a pet, consider bringing a token of their presence: a photo, a leash, or even a beloved toy. Together, we will lift their memory in blessing, entrusting them once more into the arms of their Creator.
This moment of prayer and community is a chance to both celebrate the joy our pets give us and to grieve with hope. For in God’s love, nothing is ever truly lost.
Join us! Saturday, October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals and creation) at 10:30am on the beautiful grounds of St. Paul’s Monastery and Benedictine Center. Bring a bag of cat food or dog food to support Tubman’s Harriet’s Haven for Pets. But most importantly, bring yourself and every beautiful memory of pet companions who have passed home to God.
View a video invitation from me and my new pet companion, Ruth.
