Spiritual healin’: Furry friends get a special blessing
By AMY KAUFMAN Special to the Daily Press
REED PARK — St. Monica’s Parish went to the dogs, as well as the cats, on Sunday when nearly 50 animals were brought, toted and shepherded to the Church in order to be blessed or cured of a variety of animal ills.
Such customs are conducted annually at churches across the nation to honor the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a Roman Catholic saint said to have love for all creatures. However, Sunday represented the parish’s first foray into the blessing fete.
Dogs on leashes, cats in cages and other pets roaming free in the park gathered across the street from the church on California Avenue to celebrate the feast day, which was Oct. 4.
Many of the animals were wearing their Sunday best, bedecked with ribbons and wearing flowers in their hair. One small white-haired dog even sported a collared Polo tee, though not “popping the collar,” as she sat calmly in her owner’s arms.
Nacho, a Chihuahua Terrier saved from the East LA streets by his owner, Gabriel McKail, came dressed in just his fur coat. McKail joked that the wee-little pup won the “doggy lottery” when he was found, evading euthanization the night McKail became his owner.
“I’m hoping that by being blessed, his itching will go away,” McKail said of Nacho’s skin allergies.
The blessings were conducted by Franciscan Father Phillip Garcia of the Serra Retreat House in Malibu.
Dressed in a brown robe and white cord, Garcia welcomed the animals while leading a group prayer. An animal lover himself, Father Garcia donned a photo of his black-and-white kitten around his neck, the words “I ‘Heart’ My Cat” beneath the photo.
“I often pick her up and squeeze and love her,”Garcia told the crowd,“And one day,I must have squeezed her too hard, because she passed wind. I thought cats were too cool for that.”
The animals remained relatively calm throughout Sunday’s proceedings, keeping their barking, meowing, chirping and rough-housing to a minimum.
“I have the honor of blessing everything from horses to dogs, cats, geckos... anything graced with God’s life,” Garcia said.“They all have their way of expressing God’s love for us. Animals are God’s original way of saying ‘I love you.’”
Though none were in attendance Sunday, Garcia said that the most exotic animals he’s ever blessed include boa constrictors and spiders.
“With the tarantulas and rattlesnakes, I pray at a distance,” he laughed.
A bit of rowdiness emerged from the animal throng toward the conclusion of the ceremony, as Garcia lightly sprayed blessed water over the animals, prompting more than one bark.
Following the group blessing, many atten-dees lined up to receive an individual prayer for their pet.Approaching Garcia, the owners shared the names of their animals as he greeted and blessed each pet. For those owners whose animals were ailing, stories were swapped and hopeful wishes distributed.
Seated in an aging blue baby stroller, Millie — a basset hound with droopy blue eyes — rested calmly while Garcia lightly tapped her head. The 12-year-old dog has a bad back which makes it hard for her to walk, according to her owner, Shelley Kay.
“We’re hoping the blessing will keep her with us,” Kay said.“She’s the love of our life.”
Garcia said he just says whatever comes to mind during the blessings.
“If I were to bless my cat, I would just say ‘May the blessings of God be upon you and may you have everything you need to keep you happy and well today.’”
Musician Jon Jon San Juan led the crowd in songs including the “Prayer of St. Francis” and “Canticle of the Sun.”
As for St. Francis of Assisi, the custom is conducted in remembrance of the saint and his love for all creatures.
“He was a saint because he was able to embrace all of creation,” Garcia said. “He embraced and kissed the leper.”
A POPULAR TRADITION “This is the first year we’ve done it at St. Monica’s,” said Eric Gabster, a spokesperson for the church. “It was something that was not being done on the Westside. It’s a popular tradition, but the nearest event is usually held down in Long Beach.”
Representatives from the Amanda Foundation, a 30-year-old organization working to save animals from “kill shelters” were also in attendance.
“Amanda means worthy of God’s love,” Gabster said of the Foundation’s name. “Giving homes to these animals that would otherwise have been killed is to extend St. Francis’s blessing.”
The day was especially poignant for Colleen Hughes, a woman afflicted with chronic seizures.
Hughes’ dog, bronze-haired Oscar de la Rascal, is a certified Seizure Alert Dog. Clad in a blue strap that read: “Working: Please Ask Before Petting,” Oscar remains by Hughes’ side to protect her from harm.
“He can smell enzyme changes in my blood,” Hughes said, “and he’ll paw at my knees when it’s time to take extra medicine.”
During a seizure, Oscar will lay on top of Hughes, staying with her until the fit is over and licking her face at its conclusion until she comes out of her “mental fog,” she said.
“He brought me back the independence I had lost,” Hughes said, petting Oscar affectionately, “He’s the best. He saved my life.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 9, 2006. Read the original PDF.