Why do churches bless pets?

Written by

René Ostberg

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 1, 2026 •History

Every October many churches—especially Roman Catholic parishes—host a ceremony for blessing pets. The event is usually held on or about October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals and ecology. Francis, who lived during the late 12th and early 13th centuries, considered all nature to be the mirror of God and called all creatures his “brothers” and “sisters.” He famously preached to the birds and persuaded a wolf to stop attacking the...