A special blessing offered for animals

La Crescenta Church of Religious Science hosted its second annual blessing of the animals this past Sunday.

Several people stopped by the sanctuary with their animals for the blessing. The event began as everyone joined hand-in-hand and prayed for all the animals in the world, then immediately proceeded with the individual blessings.

Along with the pets that were presented, some owners showed images of their pets, whether photographs, drawings, sketches or pictures on their cellphones.

Patricia Phillips brought a picture of her cat, Selena.

“I thought it was a marvelous idea [to get my cat blessed]; she deserves it,” said Phillips.

Four individuals were given the job to bless the animals that entered the door. The prayer asked to “teach us to admire their beauty and to delight in their in cunning; to respect their strength and to wonder their intelligence.” The prayer was an example of how all animal owners should care for their pet, to love them and treat them with respect.

“We need to honor our animals and their loyalty,” said Reverend Beverly Craig. “It’s up to us to take good care of them.”

After each animal was blessed, it was given some gifts. Owners were able to pick a handmade bandana for their pet and some treats donated by PETCO.

Blessings were not the only thing given on Sunday. Congregants were asked to donate towels and blankets which in turn will be given to the Glendale Humane Society.

“We need [sheets, towels, and blankets] for babies, wounded animals, and to provide clean kennels,” explained Carolyn Young of the humane society.

Financial contributions were also asked for the animal shelter, a new idea that the church implemented this year, prompted by 11-year-old Kailey Martinez-Ramage.

After receiving money for Christmas last year, Kailey decided to donate her monetary gift to a needy cause, specifically for animals.

“My grandma’s friend got a dog from the Glendale Humane Society,” said Kailey. “I thought that they could use the money the most.”

In addition to asking for donations of towels and blankets, she thought it would be a great idea to also ask for money for the organization.

The Blessing of the Animals event is part of the church’s Animal Kinship Ministry.