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Kiko's Korner

Pet Blessing in Collingwood

The Blessing of Pets

By Judi McLeod

Sunday, October 8, 2006

It was the postcard perfect, small town autumn day, the burnished leaves finally showing their colours, the air crisp with the sun shining.

There were about 25 townsfolk gathered at the front steps of St. Mary's Church, "Our Lady of the Lake," in Collingwood, Ontario.

The occasion was not a wedding, but the Blessing of the Pets. Rather than a bevy of pretty maidens in bridesmaids dresses, were a variety of dogs, large and small, turned out in their best collars and brushed coats.

Indeed, the closest thing to resemble a groom's tuxedo was the black and white cocker Spaniel with somber, soulful eyes.

"anyone whose life is enriched with the companionship of animals has received one of God's sweetest blessings," said an item in last Sunday's church bulletin. "In no other relationship is unconditional love so honestly displayed. Their loving hearts and loyal characters are a beautiful example of the life we Christians seek to live."

"How true!" I thought upon reading it.

So Saturday, Oct. 7 found my little dog Kiko and me at the front steps of St. Mary's. I had come as much out of curiosity as for the blessing.

There were barks, both gruff and high-pitched as the congregants waited for their priest. The human companion of a large German Shepherd crossbreed told me, "He's safe and has never bitten another dog," when the overexcited dog who likes to greet everybody barked as I led Kiko into the small group.

There were elderly ladies with tiny poodles, families proudly leading Golden Retrievers on a leash, and even a mother and her children reverently bearing a pet rabbit in a cardboard box.

all creatures, great and small were on their best behaviour, even though some of their human companions were nervous when some of their pets barked too loudly.

Father Jim McLenaghen, whose knowledge of ancient history makes his homilies very interesting, came to the top of the church steps to explain the blessing.

With great humour, among the cacophony of barks, he asked, "Can everyone hear me?"

Father explained that he would bless us, say a few prayers and then bless each and every pet with holy water.

The little prayer known as The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis is hauntingly beautiful:

"O Lord, make me an
instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me
sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is discord,
Harmony.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sorrow, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I
may not
so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to
understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we
receive;
it is in pardoning that we are
pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are
born to Eternal Life."

according to www.Wahiduddin's web, "The exact origin of this beautiful prayer remains unknown.

"The prayer was apparently written in France during World War I, perhaps by a Catholic priest, Father Bouquerel.

"The prayer does not appear in any known writings of St. Francis. It is commonly known as the Peace Prayer of St. Francis only because it was often seen printed on a small card that had a picture of Saint Francis on the other side, but the card did not make any claim that the prayer was written by Saint Francis.

"The first known appearance of this inspiring prayer was in 1912 aD when it was published in the French magazine La Clochette."

after Father McLenaghen's prayers on Saturday, there were a few misty eyes. all were held spellbound with reverence for God's Work on earth--including the animals that seemed to somehow know.

When the priest approached Kiko, I was a little worried that he would start to bark, but he remained quiet and didn't make a move even after the Holy Water found him.

The little service was over, and we were told by Father to go in peace.

as we walked along the street, the man with the dog who had told us his pet never bit anyone, was climbing into his truck. "I'm taking him to Macdonald's for breakfast," he shouted.

We made our way over to the last day of the Farmer's Market. as we walked along, couldn't help but think that the Blessing of the Pets was a vignette of life in a small town.

How lucky we are that Collingwood is our new home.


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