In Pictures: Pets get blessed on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi
October 4th is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, and parishes named for the saint often commemorate the day with a pet blessing. More than 150 animals including dogs, cats, hamsters, a rabbit and a goldfish were blessed by Father Scott during the ceremony at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C., on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013.
Father Craig Scott, right, blesses Anna and Andrew Szymanski's golden retriever Saba during the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C., on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
Father Craig Scott blesses ten-year-old Audrey Goetsch's hamster Hammy during the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
Father Craig Scott, left, blesses Marla Inducil's golden doodle dog Chip during the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
People and their pets wait for Father Craig Scott to begin the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
A dog sneaks a drink from the holy water being held by Father Craig Scott during the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
Vanessa Stewart, right, holds her dog Sasha while waiting for Father Craig Scott to begin the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
Tracey Bates' dog Berkley peers over the crowd as Father Craig Scott holds the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
Gerry Boutin's cat Prince reacts to being splashed with holy water while being blessed by Father Craig Scott during the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
Father Craig Scott blesses hamster named Fluffy during the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail
Father Craig Scott, centre, blesses Margaret Smith's dog Zoe as her grandson Gavin Smith, 5, holds the leash during the annual blessing of the pets at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam, B.C.DARRYL DYCK/The Globe and Mail