MANVILLE: Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 4

By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
The annual Blessing of the Animals will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, at Sacred Heart Church grounds for creatures big and small.
The event sponsored by Christ the Redeemer Parish is in honor of St. Francis. On July 16, 1228, he was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. He is known as the patron saint of animals, and it is customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of Oct. 4.
This is an annual event run by the Knights of Columbus.
The Blessing of the Animals will be from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Dogs, cats, birds, snakes, rabbits and more little animals can be brought for the blessing. All pets must be leashed or in cages.
After the blessing, Knights of Columbus members will give each pet owner a blessing card of St. Francis.