Palos Hills Church To Hold Pet Blessing Ceremony

PALOS HILLS, IL — Pets are blessings, which is why it is only fair that we bless them in return. On Saturday at 10 a.m., Sacred Heart Church is joining over 110 Archdiocese of Chicago Parishes and Shrines to host outdoor pet blessings.

The blessings are in honor of Oct. 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assissi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.

"God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help," St. Francis once said. "Each being (human or creature) has the same right of protection."

St. Francis would be happy to know that from Oct. 1 until Oct. 17, animals all over Chicagoland will briefly go to church. Even though animals are blessed by God, they can still be mischievous, so the Archdiocese asks that all animals come in leashes or cages.

Sacred Heart has confirmed that it is hosting the event on Saturday at 10 a.m. in its parking lot at 5245 W. 111th Street in Palos Hills, and that "pets of all faiths are welcome."

Visit the Archdiocese’s website for a full schedule of ceremonies. For more information, call St. Gerald’s Church at 708-974-3336, contact the Archdiocese at 312-435-8318, or email Susan Thomas at sthomas@archchicago.org.