BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Students at Christ the King school held a special ceremony on Friday where they blessed their pets in the name of St. Francis.
Friar Justin Baker blessed dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and even the principal’s tarantula with holy water. St. Francis, who lived in the 12th century, is the patron saint of animals and the environment.
Religion teacher Meghan Cade says it’s a chance for kids to show off family members who don’t usually get to come to school.
“This is one of many ways that we show that we’re stewards of the Earth and that we should take care of everything on Earth from our animals, to our water sources, to our land to everything,” said Cade.
Parents and kids alike had smiles on their faces. The annual event will take place on the Feast of St. Francis again next year.