NORTH SMITHFIELD – Saddle up the horses, harness the alpacas and put those pesky cats into a travel crate: the pastor at Slatersville Congregational Church said he is ready to bless all of the animals at a special event to be held on the common on Saturday, Nov. 8.
The church will hold a “Blessing of the Animals,” starting at 10 a.m., an outdoor event open to both the public and to beasts of every stripe.
“It’s going to be really fun,” said Rev. Sean Amato. “In this world of deep partisan divide, what is more uniting than coming together over our animals?”
A long-standing tradition in the Christian faith, such blessing of the animal ceremonies typically take place around October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
Amato said his church’s event is intentionally held a little later in the season.
“People seem to miss it because it comes so fast and it goes so fast,” Amato said of the animal-focused services.
The idea to hold one this year on the common, he said, has long been a topic of discussion at the church.
“There had been some conversation boiling for awhile,” said Amato.
Amato said the Slatersville church did hold one such event in the past, but it was long before he began leading the congregation last year. The Green Street church, he noted, is dog-friendly, with service dogs regularly attending Mass.
And for many people, there are few things in life more treasured than their pets.
“Many people base part of who they are on their relationship with their animals,” said Amato. “This is an important part of community living – is to embrace all parts of the community.”
Amato said he’s hopeful people who don’t normally attend church will come from the nearby mill apartments.
“There’s so many dogs and cats there,” he said. “There’s a lot of non-church people who would probably love to have their pets blessed.”
Historically, the events are indeed popular, even among non-believers. In 2022, a blessing of the animals ceremony at Worcester Cathedral in England led to viral fame for one goat who sang along with the organ music. A short video of Pablo the Goat – originally posted on TikTok – has been viewed by millions.
It seems there are few things as universal to people as a love for their furry, or in some cases even scaly friends, and their antics.
“People have llamas, people have sheep, people have goats…” said Amato. “Many people go it alone, with pets.”
The pastor said he will put his hands over each animal in attendance November 8 and say a brief prayer in hopes that they “continue to enrich the families that love them.”
A flyer advertising the event quotes the bible verse in Genesis 1:25.
“God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.”
“Congregants and neighbors, friends and strangers are welcome to bring their pets, livestock, or even stuffed friends for a blessing on Slatersville’s Common,” the flyer note, adding that for the safety of all involved, animals must be secured via leash, crate, or other appropriate restraint.
The centuries old tradition begins with the belief that animals help their owners to get through the winter and survive until the next gentle season.
And in Slatersville, it will also provide an nice opportunity for the community to get together, Amato said. The common, he notes, provides a perfect venue to accommodate a crowd and their varied companions.
“It’s a nice long, flat area,” said Amato. “We have the common for this great purpose. Bring some beasts.”
All are welcome to bring animals and visit the common at Slatersville Congregational Church at 25 Green St. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 8 to receive a blessing.
