Special blessing for animals in Mumbai

(Oct. 04, 2011) A special blessing for animals owned by Hindus, Parsees and Christians was given in Mumbai, western India’s Maharashtra State on Tuesday, (4th Oct.) the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a great lover of animals. hirty dogs of different breeds, four Persian cats, fish from six aquariums, six cages with love birds, eight cages of parrots, one turtle and one rabbit were given the annual special blessing for pets. “With these prayers, we call upon God, the creator of the universe, to protect all his creatures, man’s faithful friends,” said Fr Joseph D’Souza, who conducted the service. In addition to the animals, their respective owners, Hindu, Parsees and Christians, were also blessed on Tuesday in the Church of Saint Ignatius in Mumbai. In his homily, Fr. D’Souza spoke of Saint Francis of Assisi, saying he was the first to come up with the idea that not only human beings were among the myriad of God’s creatures, and that all are blessed in the eyes of the Lord. At a time in history, when people spend more time with gadgets and objects of all sorts, such an occasion reminds us to show love, care and gratitude to our animals, true gifts of God” he added. Fr Joseph D’Souza came up with the idea of blessing the animals twelve years ago, when he was parish priest at Our Lady of Dolours in Sonapur, Marine Lines, Mumbai.