ORDER OF THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS

According to the providence of the Creator, many animals have a certain

role to play in human existence by helping with work or providing food or
clothing. Thus when the occasion arises, for example some saint, the
custom of invoking God’s blessing on animals may be continued.
The present order may be used by a priest or deacon. It may also be used
by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay
minister.
While maintaining the structure and chief elements of the rite, the minister
should adapt the celebration to the circumstances of the place and the
people involved.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
When the community has gathered, a suitable song may be sung. After the
singing, the minister says:

ISon,
n the name of the Father, and of the
 and of the Holy Spirit.
All make the sign of the cross and reply:
Amen.
A minister who is a priest or deacon greets those present in the following
or other suitable words, taken mainly from Sacred Scripture.

May God, who is wonderful

in all his works, be with you all.
All make the following or sone other suitable reply:
And with your spirit.
A minister who is a priest or deacon greets those present in the following
or other suitable words, taken mainly from Sacred Scripture.

The animals of God’s creation inhabit

the skies, the earth, and the sea.
They share in the fortunes of human
existence and have a part in human life.
God, who confers his gifts on all living
things, has often used the service of
animals or made them symbolic
reminders of the gifts of salvation.
Animals were saved from the flood and
afterwards made part of the covenant
with Noah (Genesis 9:9-10).
The paschal lamb brings to mind the
passover sacrifice and the deliverance
from the bondage of Egypt (Exodus 12:3-14);
a giant fish saved Jonah (Jonah 2:1-11);
ravens brought bread to Elijah (1 Kings 17:6);
animals were included in the repentance
enjoined on humans (Jonah 3:7).
And animals share in Christ’s redemption
of all of God’s creation.
We therefore invoke the divine blessing
on these animals through the intercession
of Saint Francis of Asisi.
As we do so, let us praise the Creator
and thank him for setting us over other
creatures of the earth.
 Let us also ask him that, remembering
our human dignity, we may walk
always his law.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
Genesis 1:1. 20-28.
Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the
book of Genesis.

In the beginning, when God created the

heavens and the earth, God said, “Let the water
teem with an abundance of living creatures, and
on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the
sky.” And so it happened: God created the great
sea monsters and all kinds of swimming
creatures with which the water teems, and all
kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was
and God blessed them, saying, “Be fertile,
multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let
the birds multiply on the earth.” Evening came,
and morning followed the fifth day.

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth all

kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things,
and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it
happened: God made all kinds of wild animals,
all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping
things of the earth. God saw how good it was.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image,
after our likeness. Let them have dominion over
 the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the
cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the
creatures that crawl on the ground. God created
man in his image; in the divine image he created
him; male and female he created them.

God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and

multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have
dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the
air, and all the living things that move on the
earth.
To indicate the end of the reading, the reader acclaims:
The word of the Lord.
The people:
Thanks be to God
PSALM
Psalm 8
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful
your name in all the earth!
O Lord, our Lod, how glorious is your name over
all the earth! You have exalted your majesty
above the heavens.
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful
your name in all the earth!
When I behold your heavens, the work of your
fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in
place – What is man that you should be mindful
of him or the son of man that you should care for
him?
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful
your name in all the earth!
You have given him rule over the works of your
hands, putting all things under his feet: All
sheep and oxen, yes, and beasts of the field, The
birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and
whatever swims the paths of the seas
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful
your name in all the earth!
INTERCESSIONS
The Minister says:

God created us and placed us on this earth to

be the stewards of all living things and so to
proclaim the glory of their Creator. Let us, then,
praise God, saying:
R. How wonderful are the
works of your hands, O Lord.
Assisting Minister:
Blessed are you, O Lord, who created the
animals and gave us the ability to train them to
help us in our work. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. How wonderful are the
works of your hands, O Lord.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who gave us food from
animals to replenish our energies. Let us pray to
the Lord.
R. How wonderful are the
works of your hands, O Lord.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who for the sake of our
comfort give us domestic animals as
companions. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. How wonderful are the
works of your hands, O Lord.
 Blessed are you, O Lord, who show us a sign of
your providence, as your Son told us, by caring
for the birds of the air. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. How wonderful are the
works of your hands, O Lord.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who offered you Son to
us as the paschal lamb and in him willed that we
should be called and should truly be your
children. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. How wonderful are the
works of your hands, O Lord.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who through your
lowliest creatures never cease to draw us toward
your love. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. How wonderful are the
works of your hands, O Lord.
As circumstances suggest, all may then pray for a moment in silence
before the prayer of blessing.
PRAYER OF BLESSING
A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessings with
hands outstreched.

O God, the author and giver

of every gift, animals also part of the way
you provide help for our needs and labors.
We pray through the intercession of
Saint Francis of Assisi that you will make
available for our use the things we
need to maintain a decent human life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:
Amen.
After the prayer of blessing, as circumstances suggest, the minister may
sprinkle those present and the animals with holy water.

CONCLUDING RITE
The minister concludes the rite by saying:

May God, who created the animals

of this earth as a help to us, continue
to protect and sustain us with the grace
his blessing brings, now and forever.
All:
Amen.
It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song.