SHAKING A BUNDLE OF SAGE, Fr. Michael Nguyen sprinkled holy water and dispensed blessings on Leonardo and Michelangelo, two box turtles, as well as their owners Jessica Latorre and her son, Antonio.
LIV REEVES IS SEEN ON HER HORSE, ACE DURING THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS EVENT AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL IN YORBA LINDA. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Jessica and Antonio were among upwards of 1,000 students, family and community members — along with their pets — to attend the 27th annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis of Assisi School in Yorba Linda.
Since its opening in 1997, the K-8 school campus has hosted the popular event, which is staged around the Oct. 4 Feast Day of St. Francis, who is universally known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and many others.
Fr. Nguyen, pastor of Santa Clara de Asis Catholic Church, said it only makes sense to honor St. Francis by bringing in the animals “to see God’s love through our pets,” whom he added are more than just loyal companions—they are part of our families.
OFFICERS M. RUBIO AND J. MOLINA OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT PREPARE TO HAVE THEIR K-9 PARTNERS BLESSED.
Earlier in the morning at the school Mass, Fr. Nguyen had blessed stuffed animals that younger children had brought to school.
The practice of blessing animals dates back to the early 13th century when St. Francis is said to have preached to a flock of birds as equals to show God’s love for all creatures. So beloved is St. Francis that beginning next year, Italy, which also had Francis named as a patron saint, will have a national holiday in his honor.
STUDENTS GATHER AROUND A CLASSMATE’S PET MOUSE.
ANIMALS BIG AND SMALL
Closer to home, as the time approached for the gates to open for the Blessing, a furry and feathered menagerie of pets and their families, including dozens of dogs, several clearly unamused cats in crates, bunnies, a Silkie chicken named Buffy, and birds, stretched out the parking lot and onto Eastside Drive.
A particularly popular attendee was a horse named Ace who was brought to the event by owner Sofia Reeves and her three daughters.
FR. MICHAEL NGUYEN BLESSES A STUDENT’S DOG ON OCT. 3.
As children squealed and ran to pet Ace, Sofia Reeves said, “I just love the idea of this, just to see Ace get blessed. My children love to show him off.”
Indicating the broader popularity of the event, also on hand were dignitaries Orange County Sheriff ’s deputies with K-9s, who got in on the act.
Members of the school’s Student Council bookended the event with announcements, a reading about the life of St. Francis and concluding with the Prayer of St. Francis.
Fr. Nguyen blessed a tub of water making it holy and what ensued was generously described as organized chaos as the pastor, assisted by five deacons from three surrounding parishes, waded into the throng to dispense blessings.
“This is beautiful,” said Jessica Latorre, as several students touched the turtle’s shells. “It’s the perfect culmination of faith and community, and bringing our beloved pets together.”
As she watched the students, Latorre decided she made the right pick of her pets for the event.
“The other choice was our betta fish,” she said with a laugh.