Aaron Thompson / Special to the Home News

Father Clarence Savial, right, blesses animals with Deacon Sonny Laqui at the St. Francis of Assisi feast to celebrate St. Francis, the patron saint of animals.

By Diana Cox

Thu, Oct 9, 2008 (midnight)

Aaron Thompson / Special to the Home News

Chad Tucker and his Boston terrier, Gizmo, do tricks during the costume contest at the St. Francis feast day celebration at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Oct. 5.

Aaron Thompson / Special to the Home News

Claudia Castillo holds month-old Chihuahua puppies Tiny and Torito at the St. Francis feast day celebration at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church October 5. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals.

As the Rev. Clarence Savial led a congregation of about 500 in prayer outside St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Oct. 5, the sound of panting accompanied his supplications. Some of the congregants received enthusiastic licks on the face while they bowed their heads solemnly.

The crowd had gathered for the annual blessing of the animals on the feast day of the church's patron saint, and fur was welcome.

"St. Francis of Assisi loved every creature on Earth," Savial said. "The animals of God's creations share in the fortune of human existence and the joys of life."

Barks punctuated Savial's points throughout the sermon.

Owners of dogs, cats, birds, fish and even a lizard brought their pets to be blessed during the feast celebration.

Riley, a 6-month-old Wheaten terrier, was there to be blessed for the first time.

"We bless our children," said his owner, Debbie Cochran. "Pets are our children. It's a Catholic thing."

This was the fourth year the church has included the blessing of pets in the St. Francis of Assisi feast day celebration.

"He was the patron saint of animals, so it just makes sense," pet blessing Chairwoman Bea Giordano said.

Assisting Savial with the blessings were the Knights of Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Council 13456. Grand Knight John Rios and his wife, Mary, brought their two Yorkshire terrier and dachshund mixes — they called them dorkies — to be blessed for the first time.

"They were born in Alaska and were gifts from our daughter. They haven't been blessed yet," Mary Rios said.

It was a big task to complete, but Savial, who owns a Chihuahua mix named Havoc, was determined not to leave any pet untouched.

"I want to bless all the animals. No exceptions," he told the crowd.

Boston terriers Millie, Molly and Bailey have been blessed in New York in the past.

"They get blessed every year," owner Jean Miller said.

In the midst of all the dogs, Ginger, an orange tabby cat, sat perched on her owner's shoulder without fear. She received a special accolade from the announcer for being the only cat in attendance.

Roxy, a Yorkshire terrier, was blessed for the fifth time.

"I bring her each feast day," her owner Robert Caparas said.

The animals, young and old, showed up in their Sunday best. Clean and pressed bandanas around their necks and pretty bows in their hair. Some dressed for the dog show that would follow where they could win best costume, most glamorous, best tail wag or pet and owner look-a-like.

Claudia Castillo brought her three 1-month-old Chihuahua puppies to be blessed.

"They are new babies. New babies are blessed," she said.

Diana Cox can be reached at 990-8183 or diana.cox@hbcpub.com.