Pets blessed on feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Missionhurst Fr. John Raharjo, pastor of St. Ann Church in Arlington, blesses pets Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. ANN M. AUGHERTON | CATHOLIC HERALD

A young boy watches as Missionhurst Fr. John Raharjo, pastor of St. Ann Church in Arlington, blesses a dog Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. COURTESY

Missionhurst Fr. John Raharjo, pastor of St. Ann Church in Arlington, blesses pets Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. COURTESY

Missionhurst Fr. John Raharjo, pastor of St. Ann Church in Arlington, blesses pets Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Msgr. Bob Cilinski, pastor of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, blesses pets Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. CONNIE CRONIN | COURTESY

Msgr. Bob Cilinski, pastor of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, blesses pets Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. CONNIE CRONIN | COURTESY

Pets gather at Nativity Catholic Church in Burke to receive blessing Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. CONNIE CRONIN | COURTESY

A parrot attends the blessing of the animals Oct. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle in celebration of St. Francis’ feast day. COURTESY

Parishioners wait for their pets to be blessed Oct. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle in celebration of St. Francis’ feast day. COURTESY

Dogs attend the blessing of the animals Oct. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle in celebration of St. Francis’ feast day. COURTESY

Parishioners wait for their pets to be blessed Oct. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle in celebration of St. Francis’ feast day. COURTESY

Fr. Kevin Larsen, pastor of St. John the Apostle Church in Leesburg, blesses pets, including a guinea pig and turtle, Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. COURTESY

Pets get blessed at St. John the Apostle Church in Leesburg Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. COURTESY.

Fr. Kevin Larsen, pastor of St. John the Apostle Church in Leesburg, blesses pets, including a guinea pig and turtle, Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. COURTESY.