By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Father Juan Carlos Salazar, pastor of St. Martha Church in Miami Shores, blesses a pug as its owner holds his pet, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2025, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Juan Carlos Salazar, pastor of St. Martha Church in Miami Shores, blesses "Coco," a dog with Cushing’s syndrome who uses a dog wheelchair, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2025, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Juan Carlos Salazar, pastor of St. Martha Church in Miami Shores, kisses his dog, "Gochita", after blessing parishioners’ pets Oct. 4, 2025, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Parishioners of St. Martha Parish in Miami Shores take a photo with their pastor, Father Juan Carlos Salazar Oct. 4, 2025, during the blessing of the animals on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Juan Carlos Salazar blesses a yorkie named “Lady” as her owner, Luz Hernandez, holds her, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2025, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Veronica Lemos holds her mini-poodle, “Kyle,” as Father George Packuvettithara, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Miami Shores, blesses him during the blessing of the animals Oct. 5, 2025, in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, observed Oct. 4.
Rosa Alvarez holds her cat, "Max," as Father George Packuvettithara, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Miami Shores, blesses him during the blessing of the animals Oct. 5, 2025, in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, observed Oct. 4.
Father Juan Carlos Salazar, pastor of St. Martha Church in Miami Shores, blesses "Coco," a dog with Cushing’s syndrome who uses a dog wheelchair, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2025, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Juan Carlos Salazar, pastor of St. Martha Church in Miami Shores, kisses his dog, "Gochita", after blessing parishioners’ pets Oct. 4, 2025, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Parishioners of St. Martha Parish in Miami Shores take a photo with their pastor, Father Juan Carlos Salazar Oct. 4, 2025, during the blessing of the animals on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Father Juan Carlos Salazar blesses a yorkie named “Lady” as her owner, Luz Hernandez, holds her, during the blessing of the animals Oct. 4, 2025, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Veronica Lemos holds her mini-poodle, “Kyle,” as Father George Packuvettithara, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Miami Shores, blesses him during the blessing of the animals Oct. 5, 2025, in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, observed Oct. 4.
Rosa Alvarez holds her cat, "Max," as Father George Packuvettithara, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Miami Shores, blesses him during the blessing of the animals Oct. 5, 2025, in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, observed Oct. 4.
Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
MIAMI SHORES | As they do every year on Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment and animals, parishioners in Miami brought their pets to be blessed by priests at various parishes in the archdiocese.
Father Juan Carlos Salazar, pastor of St. Martha Church in Miami Shores, said “pets are a gift from God.” His dog, “Gochita,” saved his life by alerting him that his house was on fire in December 2024.
Father George Packuvettithara, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church, blessed animals Oct. 5, 2025, under the church kiosk.
St. Francis, a12th-13th century Catholic friar, founded the Franciscan order. His feast day is celebrated Oct. 4, which became known as World Animal Day.
