Churches have been trying any number of things to help get people into services, but one Catholic Church has been undertaking the unusual for quite a long time. Since the 19th Century, the Church of San Anton in Madrid, Spain, has been honoring their saint, the patron saint of animals, with an unusual parade and ceremony. The priests come out and bless pets of all shapes and sizes. From felines to ferrets, it’s a prayer and a sprinkle of holy water for whatever pet you’re keeping!
Hey, if it can keep bugs and viruses out of your Sony, it’ll keep bugs and viruses off of your pony. Plus, it’s adorable. Parishioners say they’ve had remarkably good years for their blessed pets, and there have been a lot of repeat customers, both human and animal, since the tradition was started. I wonder… if you have your cow blessed by a Catholic, does that mean it can no longer be made into kosher meat? Is it possible to bless a fish, considering they’re already underwater and the fishbowl water might dilute the holy water? Is it worth the scars to bless a cat?
This story raises a host of troubling issues.
Tags: Madrid, Spain, Catholic Church, animals blessed in church ceremony, Church of San Anton, patron saint of animals, unusual church ceremonies, unusual images