What are some options for a “Blessing of the Animals” service that you can suggest?

The main option for the “Blessing of Animals” comes from the Book of Blessings (which is available in your nearest sacristy as well as from Liturgical Press). The blessing is composed of a Liturgy of the Word and then a Blessing over the Animals. If you are looking for something a little more creative, look into some writings from St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day we celebrate when we bless the animals. His Canticle of the Creatures is a great prayer to either pray aloud or sing (there are many versions of this song—you many know one version as All Creatures of Our God and King). One tip to keep in mind: if you are going to bless many animals, you may want to keep the service short because things could get a little wild with all of God’s creatures assembled in one place!

Julianne E. Wallace is the director of campus ministry at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. She is currently working on a D.Min. in Educational Leadership from Virginia Theological Seminary. She earned an M.T.S. in Word and Worship from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. and a B.A. in Music Performance from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. Julianne is passionate about sharing the joy of liturgy with others and helping everyone to worship well.