Blessing of the Animals 2024

In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, known for his love of all of God's creatures, several churches will hold Blessing of the Animals prayer services. 

Animal lovers are invited to bring their pets to have them blessed and gently sprinkled with holy water. The services are a way of thanking God for the pets that bring joy to so many.

Here are the Blessing of the Animals ceremonies listed by date and location:

October 4, 2024

Holy Family Church, Greenville

Holy Family Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Friday, October 4, at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue in Greenville.

Holy Name of Jesus Church, Machias

St. Peter the Fisherman Parish will hold its annual Blessing of Pets on Friday, October 4, at 5 p.m. on the lawn of Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street in Machias.

St. Ann Church, Bradley

The Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord will hold a Franciscan Blessing of the Animals on St. Francis' Feast Day, Friday, October 4, at 6 p.m. at St. Ann Church, 84 Main Street in Bradley.

St. James School, Biddeford

Saint James School, located at 25 Graham Street, will hold a Blessing of the Animals service on Friday, October 4, at 7:40 a.m. Animal lovers are invited to bring their pets to have them sprinkled with holy water. 

Saint Joseph's College of Maine, Standish

The Health and Wellness Center and the Mercy Center at Saint Joseph's College of Maine are partnering to offer a Blessing of the Animals followed by a K-9 & Kitty Krawl in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Fr. Patrick Finn will offer a Blessing of the Animals at 12 p.m. at the Mercy Courtyard. 

St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Augusta

St. Michael Parish will offer the Blessing of the Animals in honor of the Feast of St. Francis on Friday, October 4, at 5:30 p.m. outside the 41 Western Avenue entrance of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Augusta. The parish invites those who attend to bring an item in support of area pets in need. 

St. Patrick Church, Newcastle

The Blessing of the Animals will be led by Father Patrick Machayi, SMA, on Friday, October 4, following the noon Mass at St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road in Newcastle.

St. Rose of Lima Church, Jay

Father Paul Dumais will bless animals on the front lawn of St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street in Jay, on Friday, October 4 at 6 p.m. Please RSVP to Amy at the parish office at 207.897.2173, ext. 1201 if you plan to attend.

October 5, 2024

Holy Family Church, Lewiston

Prince of Peace Parish will hold Blessing of the Animals Services at 10 a.m. in the field outside Holy Family Church in Lewiston and on the outside lawn of Holy Trinity Church in Lisbon Falls.

Holy Family Church, Sanford

Father Bill Labbe, pastor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, will offer a special Blessing of Pets at noon at Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue in Sanford.

Holy Redeemer Church, Bar Harbor

The Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord will hold the Blessing of the Animals on October 5 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor.

Holy Trinity Church, Lisbon Falls

Prince of Peace Parish will hold Blessing of the Animals Services at 10 a.m. outside lawn of Holy Trinity Church, 67 Frost Hill Avenue in Liston Falls.

Sacred Heart Church, Yarmouth

The Parish of the Holy Eucharist will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street in Yarmouth.

St. Bartholomew Church, Cape Elizabeth

St. John Paul II Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on October 5 at 10 a.m. outside St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road in Cape Elizabeth.

St. Gregory Church, Gray

The Parish of the Holy Eucharist will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 9:30 a.m. outside St. Gregory Church, 24 North Raymond Road in Gray.

St. Joseph Church, Bridgton

St. Joseph Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 10 a.m. outside St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street in Bridgton.

St. Joseph Church, Ellsworth

St. Joseph Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street in Ellsworth.

St. Louis Church, Portland

St. Louis Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 11 a.m. on the lawn of St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street in Portland.

St. Mary of the Visitation Church, Houlton

St. Mary of the Visitation Parish will hold a Blessing of the Animals prayer service, sponsored by the Heart of St. Francis Secular Franciscan Fraternity, on Saturday, October 5, at 1 p.m. at St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military Street in Houlton.

St. Matthew Church, Limerick

Father Bill Labbe will offer a special Blessing of Pets in honor of St. Francis of Assisi at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane in Limerick.

St. Peter Church, East Millinocket

Christ the Divine Mercy Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street in East Millinocket. The service will be held rain or shine. All pets must be leashed or in crates.

St. Pius X Church, Portland

Our Lady of Hope Parish will hold a Blessing of the Animals prayer service on October 5, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., outside St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue in Portland.

St. Vincent de Paul Church, Bucksport

Stella Maris Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 8:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 64 Franklin Street in Bucksport.

October 6, 2024

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will hold the Blessing of the Animals in the cathedral garden on Sunday, October 6, at 4 p.m.

Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Skowhegan

Christ the King Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals prayer service in the parking lot of Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 283 Water Street, Skowhegan, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. All are invited to bring their leashed/contained pet for a special blessing.

St. Athanasius & St. John Church, Rumford

The Parish of the Holy Savior will hold a Blessing of the Animals prayer service in the main parking lot of St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue in Rumford, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. All are invited to bring their leashed/contained pet for a special blessing.

St. Charles Borromeo Church, Brunswick

Deacon John Murphy will lead the Blessing of the Animals at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen Street in Brunswick at noon.

St. Faustina Church, Jackman

St. Anthony of Padua Parish will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi with a Blessing of the Animals prayer service on Sunday, October 6, at noon in the parking lot of St. Faustina Church, 370 Main Street in Jackman.

St. Louis Church, Fort Kent

St. John Vianney Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals in the garage of the St. Louis Church rectory on Sunday, October 6, at 1 p.m. The parish encourages you to bring your pets of any kind, farm animals, or photos of your favorite endangered wildlife species for a blessing. 

St. Christopher's Church, Peaks Island

St. Christopher's will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 6, at 3 p.m. at 15 Central Ave.

St. Mary Church, Bangor

St. Paul the Apostle Parish will hold a Blessing of the Animals service outside of St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street in Bangor, at 1 p.m. All are welcome to bring their well-behaved animals, (leashed or in crates please) to receive a blessing. 

St. Mary Church, Bath

Father Peter Shaba, SMA, will lead the Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 6, at noon at St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street in Bath.

St. Philip Church, Auburn

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish will hold a Blessing of the Animals service at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of St. Philip Church, 2365 Turner Road in Auburn.

October 12, 2024

St. Catherine of Sienna Church, Norway

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish will hold the Blessing of Animals on Saturday, October 12, at 10 a.m. outside St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street in Norway.