Leeann Leonhardt brought a family of guinea pigs to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s Blessing of the Animals service recently. With her is Jimmie Holms. The service of Holy Communion is held in the cathedral courtyard each year near October 4, the day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Among the animals represented this year at the late afternoon service, the greatest percentage were dogs, but all pets were welcomed and blessed.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

A prayer attributed to St. Francis