Dogs, cats, and birds are blessed at Marquette University for the Feast of Saint Francis

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Churches across the world gave blessings on Friday some of our furriest friends.

Oct. 4 is the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Pet blessings have become an annual tradition, including on campus at Marquette University.

Dozens of dogs, cats, and even a bird arrived outside the Saint Joan of Arc Chapel on campus in Milwaukee to take part in this year's blessing.

"Saint Francis, he loved animals and loved all God's creation, and so this is just a way for people to know their pets are loved by God," said Nate Irvine, campus minister from the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin.

It's a way to show love for all of the Earth's creatures and thank them for the comfort they bring.

"She makes the world better," Emily Raclaw said about her therapy dog, an Aussie-doodle named Raven. "They have just unconditional love."

For some pet parents, it's more than just a tradition.

"I spoke with a woman whose dog is having an eye removed, the dog's having an eye removed on Tuesday," Irvine said. "Often, pet blessings are not only for the pet, but for the owner as well."

Several other churches in the area held pet blessings Friday, a practice that dates back more than 800 years.