Catholic parishes around the country held pet blessings over the weekend in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of animals. By blessing these pets, it is a confirmation that they — and their owners — are all God’s creatures, and are cherished and beloved.
At St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, a pet blessing takes place every year. This year, Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV, Pastor, offered the blessing, and for him, it was personal.
Fr. Richard Rinn gathers with parishioners to bless their animals.
Fr. Rinn has served as pastor of the parish for 25 years, since 1999, and for the last 14 years he has had a dog. In 2010, he introduced a tiny white Westie to the community, whom he named Sox, after his beloved White Sox. When Sox passed away in 2021, Fr. Rinn obtained another white Westie, Nellie, named after the famous White Sox second baseman, Nellie Fox.
When he introduced his new puppy to the church community, Fr. Rinn proudly introduced her as the “newest parish member.” He shares that special bond with his dog, like many of his parishioners. Consequently blessing them each year makes sense.
Fr. Rinn’s dog, Nellie, left, socializes with fellow parishioners.
“I enjoy animals, and for many of my parishioners the blessing is important,” Fr. Rinn says. “Their animals are near and dear to them.”
The pet blessing at St. Viator is so popular that it was offered twice over the weekend, including during the lunch hour on Friday with school children and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the church plaza. This year, between the two times, the blessing drew a good crowd, Fr. Rinn said. While most families came with their dogs, there were a few cats, and exotic birds. In the past, Fr. Rinn says he has blessed a pony, as well as gerbils and hamsters and even a python.
“Typically, the blessing takes place in the church plaza,” Fr. Rinn says, “but I was up on the roof blessing the python.”
The blessing of animals is a good occasion to come together, Fr. Rinn adds, but it also animates the core mission of the Viatorians, which is to “raise up communities where faith is lived, deepened and celebrated.”