By Leigh Ballard
The fifth annual liturgy for the Blessing of the Animals was held Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2011, in La Grange, Tennessee. The lawn of the beautiful and historic Immanuel Episcopal Church was the setting for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Pets.
With thunder rumbling in the distance, the skies cleared in time for the outdoor ceremony which included six horses, three cats, and more than twenty-five dogs and puppies. One bird, one rabbit, and one guinea pig were also included in the collection of creatures to be blessed.
The brief service held prior to the blessing called upon all present to have reverence for their responsibility to creatures whose lives have been entrusted to them, and reminded all that they appreciate and gratefully acknowledge animals’ service in the work they do and in the happiness and enjoyment they bring.
The Reverend Barney Gordon presided over the ceremony. After the smaller animals were brought to the doors of the church to receive their blessing, Reverend Gordon made his way through the crowd to the horses waiting on the street in front of the church. Each animal was blessed individually by name, with the blessing asking that the animal and its owner continue to enjoy life together. The animals were then presented with a medal of St. Francis of Assisi to wear on their collars or halters.
Immanuel Episcopal Church was founded in 1832 and is the mother church of the Diocese of West Tennessee. Included in the National Register of Historic Places, the church is often used for weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations with religious significance. The annual Blessing of the Animals is one of the unique celebrations held at the church. Indeed, the peaceful rural setting was a perfect venue for a community of animal owners to come together and celebrate the lives of all creatures.
Photo cutlines:
DSCN3029: Lineup of horses who received blessings; (left to right) On the Rocks, Simone Perry; Bugsy, Leigh Ballard; Ace, Andrea Gilbert; Barron, Mary Hopkins; Playboy, Jana Smith, and Bailey.
DSCN3018: Thoroughbred On the Rocks, with owner Simone Perry,receiving blessing from Reverend Barney Gordon.
The fifth annual liturgy for the Blessing of the Animals was held Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2011, in La Grange, Tennessee. The lawn of the beautiful and historic Immanuel Episcopal Church was the setting for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Pets.
With thunder rumbling in the distance, the skies cleared in time for the outdoor ceremony which included six horses, three cats, and more than twenty-five dogs and puppies. One bird, one rabbit, and one guinea pig were also included in the collection of creatures to be blessed.
The brief service held prior to the blessing called upon all present to have reverence for their responsibility to creatures whose lives have been entrusted to them, and reminded all that they appreciate and gratefully acknowledge animals’ service in the work they do and in the happiness and enjoyment they bring.
The Reverend Barney Gordon presided over the ceremony. After the smaller animals were brought to the doors of the church to receive their blessing, Reverend Gordon made his way through the crowd to the horses waiting on the street in front of the church. Each animal was blessed individually by name, with the blessing asking that the animal and its owner continue to enjoy life together. The animals were then presented with a medal of St. Francis of Assisi to wear on their collars or halters.
Immanuel Episcopal Church was founded in 1832 and is the mother church of the Diocese of West Tennessee. Included in the National Register of Historic Places, the church is often used for weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations with religious significance. The annual Blessing of the Animals is one of the unique celebrations held at the church. Indeed, the peaceful rural setting was a perfect venue for a community of animal owners to come together and celebrate the lives of all creatures.
Photo cutlines:
DSCN3029: Lineup of horses who received blessings; (left to right) On the Rocks, Simone Perry; Bugsy, Leigh Ballard; Ace, Andrea Gilbert; Barron, Mary Hopkins; Playboy, Jana Smith, and Bailey.
DSCN3018: Thoroughbred On the Rocks, with owner Simone Perry,receiving blessing from Reverend Barney Gordon.
