Friends and neighbors convened in the parish courtyard on October 9th for a blessing of the animals.
This special event, free and open to ALL members of the community of any religious affiliation, is a celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Every year, all of God’s creatures are welcome. Pet owners have the opportunity to show their appreciation for their pets, make new friends, and share the company of other animals and their owners. A craft table was available for attendees to make their own pet treat, cat toy, and braided dog toy. St. Francis’ clergy bestowed individual blessings on every animal in attendance.
Our annual Blessing of the Animals was featured in The San Francisco Chronicle! Click here for the article and full set of photos, or read below.
Owners bring their beloved pets for a blessing at S.F. church: ‘I hope it’s working’
Oct. 9, 2022Updated: Oct. 9, 2022 5:10 p.m.
A small but enthusiastic crowd of Chihuahuas, terriers, Labradors and more waited impatiently Sunday to be blessed at St. Francis Episcopal Church in San Francisco.
They wagged their tails, some with their tongues hanging out, as their owners stood proudly after each blessing — making sure that even if they themselves didn’t attend church, their furry friends were covered.
“He did it,” Alexis Fox said excitedly as her golden Labrador, Lorax, named after the Dr. Seuss character, jumped and up down. “I’m not super religious, but I wanted to make sure he’s covered all the bases.”
Moments earlier, Archdeacon Hailey McKeefry Delmas knelt down, with her hand on Lorax’s head and said, “May you be blessed in the name of the God who created you.”
Lorax jumped up and licked her face. Repeatedly.
“That was more kisses than I’ve ever gotten,” Delmas said laughing, patting Lorax on the head before moving to the next animal.
The Blessing of the Animals on Sunday was part of an annual tradition celebrating the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the San Francisco church’s namesake.
While all pets were invited, the 20 or so attending Sunday were mostly of the canine variety — plus one parakeet. Stuffed animals and photos of pets were also presented for blessings.
The event returned in-person last year after the pandemic forced the church to go virtual, opening its doors to its members and beyond to get a little extra insurance for their pets.
That’s the case for Cindy and Carmen Hefner. The married couple said it was important to get their two toy poodles, Xoe and Tex Ann, blessed. Just seven months ago, their 12-year-old yorkie, Red, died after battling diabetes.
“It’s a tribute to him,” Carmen Hefner said, looking lovingly at Xoe and Tex Ann. “It’s very meaningful.”
When Red died, Xoe was “super sad,” Carmen Hefner added. The two were inseparable, and Xoe would often lick him when he was too sick to move.
Carmen Hefner said they hadn’t planned to get another dog, but had to when they saw how depressed Xoe became.
That’s why they bought Tex Ann, named after her home state of Texas. Now the two toy poodles are inseparable and “act like roommates.”
The two poodles, donning St. Francis medallions, wore matching gray dresses with ghosts, spiders and bats, and an orange bow.
“It’s one of three outfit changes for the day,” Cindy Hefner said, adding that after their blessings they planned to get professional photos taken of their beloved pets.
“We want them to live healthy lives and we want them to be surrounded by good energy and angels. We believe in that stuff,” she added.
Other owners brought their pets for a variety of reasons.
Chase Ruppert of Pacifica said he started attending the church during Easter and heard about he blessing. Immediately, he knew he’d be taking his 4-year-old greyhound, Rosa.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to a pet blessing before so the novelty of it drew me in,” he said.
For Ciara Cree, 24, of Santa Cruz, bringing her 2-year-old German shepherd and Malamute mix, Kima, was also a no-brainer.
“I just love her,” Cree said.
Monica Ovalle, a 34-year-old San Bruno resident, said she brings her terrier, Lefty, every year for a blessing for “his own spiritial insurance.”
Ovalle said growing up, she always wanted a pet dog but her parents told her they were either allergic, which she said she doesn’t believe, or that she was too irresponsible. She adopted Lefty almost 10 years ago.
“I hope it’s working” she said. “If there is a God, I want (Lefty) to be right with him.”
Sarah Ravani (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
