Blessing of the Animals 2020

Grace Church will host a Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 10, at 10am. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, October 17, at 10. Registration is required. Please register  here.

The blessing of animals is a practice observed since the Middle Ages in Christian churches of many denominations. It is typically held around the time of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Italian friar, mystic, philosopher, and preacher. St. Francis has long been regarded as the patron saint of animals.

Born in the twelfth century to a prosperous family, Francis enjoyed a life of wealth and comfort before his spiritual conversion, choosing a life of charity and living among the poor. Francis was said to regard nature as the “mirror of God.” He loved the environment and animals of all kinds—even preaching to birds, on occasion.

The Grace Church and School event will include a brief liturgy and an individual blessing of each pet. Please note that Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines will be followed (i.e., no more than 50 people in attendance, social distancing, hand sanitizer, face masks).  

Pets of all kinds are welcome! Plan to bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. If you cannot attend with your pet, you may email a photo to Karen Christopher ( ). We’ll print the photos out and share them on a poster at the event.

Click here to regiister  here for the event.