Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Thirty 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 Sunday in the Church of Saint Ignatius in Mumbai.
The blessing was also an opportunity to remember Saint Francis of Assisi, whose liturgical memory falls today. “Saint Francis 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,” Fr D’Souza told those present.
The Saint from Assisi “worked to widen further the fraternity that links humans and creatures in the same relationship with God,” the clergyman explained.
Fr Joseph D’Souza came up with the idea of blessing the animals 12 years ago when he was parish priest at Our Lady of Dolours in Sonapur, Marine Lines.
A self-confessed animal lover, he is the owner of a Pomeranian spitz called ‘Wolfie’. “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 said.
Mumbai: a special blessing for animals owned by Hindus, Parsees and Christians
Fr Joseph D’Souza offers a blessing for dogs, Persian cats, parrots, a turtle and a rabbit, “true gifts of God”. Remembering Saint Francis, who “worked to widen further the fraternity that links humans and creatures”, he says that all creatures “are blessed in the eyes of the Lord”. Today, the liturgical memory of the Saint of Assisi is held today.
