photo by: Gage Vota

The Rev. John Mucha of St. Mary Catholic Church in Martins Ferry blesses Megan Manukin’s dog Keto during the church’s annual blessing of the pets on Friday.

MARTINS FERRY — “Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures,” the Rev. John Mucha of St. Mary Catholic Church said before blessing several residents’ pets behind the church Friday after students attended Mass.

Residents brought dogs, cats and turtles to be blessed by Mucha during the annual Blessing of the Pets. He said that the annual event is a way to celebrate the blessing of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

According to the Catholic News Agency, Roman Catholics celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Italian deacon who brought renewal to the church through his decision to follow Jesus’ words as literally as possible. The blessing of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated each Oct. 4.

St. Francis of Assisi died on Oct. 3, 1226, which is why the blessing of the pets was held on Friday.

“He was very gentle, very in tune with nature and creation,” Mucha said. “He had a strong love for animals, and he was able to work with them so that they were not a threat to people.”

Mucha added that St. Francis of Assisi taught the gospel by his example, rather than just words.

“He embraced the spirit of poverty, simplicity, and not being encumbered with lots of material things that gave him a freedom to travel and walk to proclaim the gospel.”

The annual blessing saw residents bringing cats, dogs, lizards and turtles but previous blessings have seen horses, donkeys, mice, rabbits, ferrets, geckos and even a pet rock.

Mucha said that the most unique pet he’s blessed since the event was created was a sand crab.

He added that he believes residents continue to attend the event because there is a strong bond of people and their pets.

“I think they want to take care of their pets. They want to ask God’s blessing upon them for their health and their safety,” Mucha said. “One of the kids today said that their dog ran away last night, and they’re worried about their dog. So hopefully it’ll come back to them. So I think that there’s always that bond between people and their pets, and we ask God’s blessing.”

St Mary Central Principal Theresa Young said the event helps the church build a family with the community.

“It allows us to see what’s important to each other, and understand the significance of God’s creatures, and how all of God’s creatures are important,” Young said.

She added that the event has been so strong for the past 16 years because almost everyone in the community is a pet owner.

“Most of us are animal lovers. I have 10 cats myself. But we keep doing it because the saints are a big tradition in the church,” Young said. “People think that we worship the saints. We don’t. As Catholics, we worship God, but we honor the saints.”

She added that St. Francis of Assisi is just one of the many patron saints St. Mary’s Church recognizes and remembers what he’s done.