Public invited to animal blessing at the Mount

Paul Richmond ’12 (in white), assisting Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, during Mount Saint Mary College’s annual blessing of pets.

Mount Saint Mary College president Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, will bless pets in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi on Sunday, September 30 after the 9 am Mass.

Alumni, students, and their families, as well as area neighbors, are welcome to bring their furry, feathered, or finned companions for the blessing, taking place on the patio outside Founders Chapel around 10 am. The campus is located at 330 Powell Avenue in Newburgh.

Pets should be on leashes or in carriers.

The blessing celebrates Saint Francis' praise to God for all creation and is part of the college’s Alumni and Family Weekend.

“The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love,” said Fr. Mackin.

“No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.”

For more information on the pet blessing tradition, visit AmericanCatholic.org.