Celebrating St. Francis with pet blessings

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

An eager dog jumps up for his blessing from Fr. Portu – la. More than 50 dogs, a few cats, two hamsters and a reptile were among the animals blessed. Pet blessing at St. Ann Church in Arlington.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Francesca Klesius introduces her hamster Margie to Missionhurst Fr. Mel Portula at the pet blessing at St. Ann Church in Arlington in honor of the Oct. 4 feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ani – mals.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Frida, a 12-year-old parrot is blessed.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Frida, a 12-year-old parrot is blessed.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Fr. Joseph Nangle virtually blesses a 19-year-old cat.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Pet Blessing, Sat., Oct. 2 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington. Franciscan Fr. Joseph Nangle blesses all pets.

Fr. Mel Portula blesses pets outside of St. Ann Church in Arlington Oct 2.

Pet blessing at St. Ann Church in Arlington. Dominic Lackey, 12, holds his snake, Freddy, at the pet blessing.