Monsignor, Rt. Rev. Conrad Dachuck explained the tradition of the blessing of the animals, on the Sunday before Christmas.
“We know that they have certain perceptions,” Father Conrad said of pets and domestic animals. “They have a kind of affection for us. They are companions to us... and we don’t want them to miss out on Christmas!”
Animals were present in the manger at the birth of the Christ Child, he noted. “The ox warmed the Babe with its breath. The cattle are lowing… All creation is called upon to praise the Lord.”
On Dec. 22, St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church (Byzantine Rite) in Bond Head hosted its annual Blessing of the Animals. From fish – each one in a separate bag – to more traditional dogs and cats, Father Conrad blessed the animals that joined his human parishioners at the historic church.
The animals “also are part of God’s creation,” said Father Conrad. “These prayers remind us that we are stewards of creation… We ask the Lord to give us the wisdom to preserve the wonders of God’s creation.”
He prayed that those present would be inspired by the “Good Shepherd,” so that “Your servants may love and care for these animals.”
Melissa Cedrone brought her two cats and six fish for the blessing.
“We had 11 (fish) at one point,” Cedrone said, noting that this is not the first time she has asked for a blessing for her aquatic pets. As for the cats, “Last year they hid” when it was time for the church service.
And despite the mix of dogs and cats – including Father Conrad’s own cat, Jamie – the service was largely peaceful, except for a brief flurry of barking near the end.
Not surprising, said Father Conrad. After all, the birth of Jesus marks the promise of a return of the peaceful bond between mankind and nature’s creatures, when the lion will lie down with the lamb.
