St Luke’s All Saints Church filled with paws for pet blessings
Pet blessings, an Anglican tradition from medieval times, has been brought alive with the sound of panting animals and pattering paws in one of the oldest churches in Toowoomba. See the outrageously cute photos, video:
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In a time of endless online shopping of teddies, treats, and toys to spoil your pet, one church is reflecting on gratitude for animals, reviving and modernising an age-old Anglican ceremony.
More than 50 people with some 25 pets attended All Saints Church in East Toowoomba on Saturday, filling its hall to celebrate the love and relationships owners have with their pets.
The medieval ceremony corresponded with the season of creation, or the time of harvest, St Luke’s Reverend Father Graham Warren said.
At the time it was important to bless pets and animals as they were a part of life required for sustenance.
While this tradition had “slipped a bit”, in making with modern times, Rev Warren spoke on the importance of the love between pets and their owners.
The service also reflected on the patron saint of pets, St Francis, who embraced and calmed a wild wolf which was terrorising a village with the “deep sense of peace that surrounded him”.
Big dogs, small dogs, old dogs, fluffy energetic dogs, and one very shy cat were well-behaved as they listened to the words of the reverend and excitedly lined up with their owners to receive the blessing.
All Saints Church organiser Kathryn Silk said her heart was full with the turnout, expecting only a couple of pets to join.
Since July, Saturday afternoon meetings had become a staple for the community, who shared and socialised with wine and cheese after the service, Ms Silk said.
Two years ago, she married Stephen Hart in the old church, which held one of the first Sunday schools in Toowoomba.
Bringing a breath of new life back into the old church and community, Mr Hart maintains and opens up the church each day, allowing local residents, often accompanied by their dogs, to rest within its walls.
All Saints Church is part of Toowoomba’s St Luke’s Parish.
See all the photos.
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