On Oct. 4, faithful from around the world recall the spirit of one of the faith’s most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi, who saw every creature as a reflection of divine goodness.

During the Season of Creation, which wraps with the saint's feast day, many Catholics continue to be inspired by a tradition that celebrates the bond between humans and animals while deepening their connection to faith.

Commonly known as the Blessing of the Animals or Blessing of the Pets, it’s a tradition rooted in a Catholic understanding of animals and their reminder of God’s providence, where parishioners are invited to bring their pets, often to church properties, to receive a special blessing.

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The saint’s namesake parish in Toronto will be celebrating its own Blessing of the Pets on Oct. 4, keeping alive the tradition of faith, love and care for God’s creatures while honouring the saint who loved all creation.

There, on the lawn of the parish along Mansfield Avenue in Toronto's Little Italy neighbourhood, Fr. Ricardo Mendoza will welcome families and their pets for blessings, with the pastor noting past examples of dogs, cats, birds, even horses showing up to celebrate the observance.

“This custom of blessing animals, especially pets, is linked to the memory of St. Francis of Assisi, who is remembered for his profound love for creation, recognizing in every creature a reflection of the Creator’s goodness and beauty,” Mendoza told The Catholic Register.

Mendoza said the parish tradition has likely been celebrated for close to 55 years, dating back to the arrival of the Franciscan friars. The turnout usually includes more than a couple of dozen people, showing the unique appeal of the blessing event.

He also pointed to this lasting uniqueness-to-animals, echoed in Scripture, specifically Matthew 6:26 — “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

While sometimes easily oversimplified by his passion and love for animals, the priest was sure to clarify the saint's love for creation as something rooted, above all else, in his burning love for Jesus Christ.

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“For Francis, creatures were not adored in themselves, but admired as signs pointing to God. His spirituality invites us to treat animals with respect and care, while keeping the Creator at the centre of our devotion,” he said, reverberating the sentiment of the modern-day blessing ceremonies.

Equally important to note is that blessings received by animals are not considered a sacrament, which are reserved for human beings. Rather, animal blessings are a sacramental prayer of the Church invoking God’s protection and goodness over His creatures and those who care for them.

This understanding, that animals are part of God’s creation and should be treated with kindness, is even cemented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2416–2418).

Mendoza said while there are not many misconceptions among Catholics about animals, it is important to remember the catechism’s various teachings on the topic, citing “Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with His providential care. By their mere existence they bless Him and give Him glory” (CCC 2416), and “It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing and for work or scientific purposes, provided that they are treated with due respect” (CCC 2418, 2460).

“While (animals) do not have immortal souls like humans, they are entrusted to us by God as companions and helpers. Caring for them is part of our responsibility of stewardship, and pets, in particular, can become signs of God’s comfort and joy. Blessing them is a way of giving thanks to God for the gift of creation and asking His continued care for the animals and their families,” Mendoza said.

Through this, the commemoration can help reinforce our responsibility to treat God’s creatures with love and respect, while celebrating the companionship and joy they bring to our lives. Mendoza said it's a distinctive opportunity for parishioners to learn about God’s love, especially during the Season of Creation.

“During this Season of Creation, the Blessing of the Pets is an opportunity for parishioners to reflect on the gift of God’s creation and to cultivate gratitude for all that He has entrusted to us, including animals. Above all, we hope that people recognize the goodness of God and His love for humanity, seeing His care reflected even in the companionship, comfort and joy that pets bring into our lives,” he said.

The Blessing of the Animals is also historically observed by various other Christian denominations, with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto set to participate on Oct. 4 at St. James Cathedral, followed by an event by the Anglican Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury on Bayview Avenue on Oct. 5. Numerous Catholic parishes in Toronto — including nearby St. Patrick's on McCaul Street and St. Peter's at Bathurst and Bloor — around Canada and the world also observe this ritual annually.

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As families gather with their pets to celebrate this timeless tradition back at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mendoza hopes attendees take note of its deeper purpose, inviting parishioners to see God’s love woven into the everyday moments they share with their animals.

“Through this event, we hope people leave with hearts attuned to God’s providence and a renewed sense of wonder and gratitude for the natural world,” he said.