Dogs and Cats Receive "Blessing of the Animals" in Sea Isle City

Father Perry Cherubini, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, faced a slightly impolite crowd Friday evening.

Some loud barking and even a few growls were heard as he delivered his prayers.

Unfazed by the background noise, Father Cherubini kept speaking. Actually, the barking was expected. The growling was too.

With dozens of dogs filling the parking lot at the St. Joseph’s Parish Center, Father Cherubini conducted the church’s annual Blessing of the Animals in Sea Isle City.

The church welcomes all animals to the blessing, “whether they are furry, feathered, scaly or hairy.” No scaly or feathered creatures showed up Friday, but there were plenty of furry animals on hand.

More than 50 dogs and two cats were blessed by Father Cherubini as he walked through the parking lot and gently sprinkled the animals with holy water.

    The dogs and their owners wait for the ceremony to begin at the St. Joseph Parish Center parking lot.
  

The Blessing of the Animals is a tradition conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. The ceremony, which marks St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day, included a reading from the Book of Genesis.

“They share in the ways of human beings. They have a part in our lives. St. Francis of Assisi recognized this when he called the animals, wild and tame, his sisters and brothers. Remembering Francis’ love for these sisters and brothers of ours, we invoke God’s blessings on these animals, and we thank God for letting us share the Earth with all the creatures,” Father Cherubini said in his remarks.

For the most part, the dogs were well-behaved, other than the occasional bark or growl.

Larry Katz, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church, was joined by his two dogs, Candy, a 12-year-old Shih Tzu, and Coco, 2, a mix between a Maltese and a toy poodle.

“The dogs think it’s a great adventure,” Katz said with a laugh.

    Larry Katz says his dogs, Candy and Coco, enjoy being at the Blessing of the Animals.
  

Candy was one of the dogs barking during the prayers. Katz acknowledged that Candy “loves to bark.”

“She barks at every dog she sees,” he said,

Patsy Black, who lives on 44th Street, directly across the street from the Parish Center parking lot, was surprised to see the Blessing of the Animals was getting underway when she stepped outside to take her 17-year-old dog, PK, for a walk.

Once she realized what was going on, Black immediately took PK over to the ceremony to join with the other dogs.

“She doesn’t see very well or hear very well, but she enjoys being around other dogs,” Black said of PK, a mix between a Bichon Frise and Yorkshire terrier.

Dee and Dave Twomey, Houston residents who have a summer vacation home in Sea Isle, brought their 12-year-old dog, Rosie, a Shar Pei and poodle mix, to the Blessing of the Animals to collect another St. Francis medal.

Pet owners are traditionally given miniature medallions bearing a likeness of St. Francis to symbolically keep their animals safe from harm or sickness.

“She loves it. She loves seeing all of the puppies,” Dee Twomey said of bringing Rosie to the blessing every year she can.

    Dee Twomey, left, holds her dog, Rosie, while Patsy Black, cuddles her dog, PK.
  

Patti Smyth, a Sea Isle resident, was carrying her 18-year-old dog, Toby, a Maltese and toy poodle mix, and had her 4-year-old Australian Shepherd mix, Storm, on a leash during the blessing.

Storm, obviously, is a Phillies fan. He was wearing the No. 3 jersey of Phillies star first baseman Bryce Harper for some good luck heading into the playoffs against the New York Mets.

“We need a double blessing today for the Phillies and the pups,” Smyth said, laughing.

    Patti Smyth's dog, Storm, wears a Bryce Harper Phillies jersey. She carries her other dog, Toby.