By Emily Chaffins -
Fr. Giovanni Peña, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Miami, blesses a pet pig on Oct. 4, 2026, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day. (MARIA ALEJANDRA RIVAS-AVILA | FC)
Father Steven O'Hala, rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary, blesses pet parrot "Rita" on Oct. 4, 2026, for St. Francis of Assisi's feast day, as the bird’s owner Thier Peraza and his son Luca look on.
Deacon Roberto Pineda blesses pets at St. Joseph Parish in Miami Beach on Oct. 4, 2026, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi's feast day.
Father George Packuvettithara, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Miami Shores, blesses pets on Oct. 4, 2026, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi's feast day.
Father Steven O'Hala, rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, recites a pet blessing prayer as Maggie Molina holds her dog, "Lily," on Oct. 4, 2026, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day.
Fr. Giovanni Peña, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Miami, blesses pets on Oct. 4, 2026, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day. (MARIA ALEJANDRA RIVAS-AVILA | FC)
Father George Packuvettithara, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Miami Shores, blesses pets on Oct. 4, 2026, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi's feast day.
Fr. Giovanni Peña, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Miami, blesses pets on Oct. 4, 2026, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day. (MARIA ALEJANDRA RIVAS-AVILA | FC)
Photography: Marlene Quaroni | FC
MIAMI | From a pig wearing a miniature cowboy hat, to dogs squirming joyfully in their owners’ arms, pets from around the Archdiocese of Miami received a sprinkle of holy water from parish clergy on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4.
This year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and ecology, who lived from 1182-1226. Pope Leo XIV honored St. Francis’ legacy by making this year the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, from Jan. 10, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027.
Francesco Bernardone left a life of riches to spend his life sharing the Gospel with those around him. Beloved by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, St. Francis is also known for his kindness to animals. He viewed animals, plants, and the world around him as forever teaching him about the goodness of God the Creator, as he wrote about in his Canticle of the Sun - renowned as one of the earliest pieces of Italian literature written by a known author.
Every year on St. Francis’ feast day, many parishes in the Archdiocese of Miami encourage families to bring their pets for a special blessing from priests or deacons.
Enjoy a sampling of the Florida Catholic’s snapshots from this year’s pet blessings at the Cathedral of St. Mary and Prince of Peace Parish in Miami, St. Joseph Parish in Miami Beach, and St. Rose of Lima Parish in Miami Shores!
Pray for your pet
The Franciscan Pet Blessing:
- Want to pray for your pet year-round? Check out this prayer featured on Catholic Review!
Dearest God, Heavenly Father, maker of all living creatures,
we ask you to bless our pets who bring so much joy into our lives.
By the power of Your love,
enable them to live according to Your plan.
May we always praise You for all Your beauty in creation.
Blessed are You, God, in all Your creatures!
Amen.
