Annual Blessing of Animals continues a decade-long tradition
Norwich — Patrick and Kathy Hayes of Franklin showed up a few minutes late and a pet short Sunday, but the Rev. Peter D'Alesandre dutifully returned to the century-old Grace Episcopal Church to retrieve holy water for two final animal blessings on a chilly spring day.
He gave a quick sprinkle of water and blessing to 3-year-old Hanna, a Labrador mix rescue dog, then hesitated only briefly as Mrs. Hayes offered up a stuffed bear in place of their 8-year-old cat Bennie.
"Bennie doesn't like to drive in the car," she explained.
It was the first time the Hayeses had participated in the annual Blessing of the Animals at the beautiful hillside church in Yantic village.
Mrs. Hayes recounted how their 64-pound dog had been saved by a Rhode Island group called Save A Lab, which transported the abused Hanna north after she was discovered alone and afraid in Louisiana.
"She was on the street," Mrs. Hayes said. "She was only 25 pounds."
At first, she was afraid of any object someone lifted overhead, but now she is calmer and sleeps through the night. She's still afraid of men in camouflage, however.
"She's been a great, great dog," Mrs. Hayes said. "We're so glad we found her."
D'Alesandre, the church's vicar, said he has been blessing animals annually in Yantic ever since he became pastor 10 years ago.
"God has made us ... the stewards of all creatures and all living things," he said in an interview before the 10-minute ceremony.
Animal blessings have been a Christian tradition for 2,000 years, he said. The tradition is held in the spring during Rogation Sunday, a time on the religious calendar when God is asked to watch over newly planted crops and animals.
During the ceremony, D'Alesandre read a passage in the Bible from Genesis in which God gives man dominion over all the earth's creatures. He explained earlier that this means people are expected to take care of the earth's plants and animals, not abuse them.
In all, D'Alesandre blessed six dogs, one cat and the stuffed animal. Some animals flinched as the water hit them, and others barked intermittently, but there were smiles all around.
"I think it's beautiful," said Beth Duzant of Montville, who brought her 3-year-old cat Koi to the event. "Your animals are like part of your family."
Her stepson Justin was holding Flex, a 2-year-old American bulldog and boxer mix. The family is part of a congregation of only about 50 at Grace Church, built in 1902 with the help of the owner of the nearby former Yantic Woolen Mill, E. Winslow Williams, who meticulously copied the look of a 14th-century church from the English countryside.
"It just makes me feel good all over," said Linda Sinko of Yantic, who brought her 13-year-old dog Gidget to be blessed outside the church.
Judie Blackman-Cochran, a member of the congregation, said she looks forward to the Blessing of the Animals nearly every year, though there are rarely more than 10 pets making an appearance. She brought her 9-year-old dog Seamus, a mix of short-haired pointer and black English setter.
"We enjoy a nice, spring tradition," she said. "It's not usually so freezing cold."
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