Sunday, October 9, 2022
Dogs, cats-maybe hamsters, iguanas, and other animals-join ministers and the Durham Children's Choir in front of Duke Chapel for the Blessing of the Animals worship service. Pet owners are welcome to bring their animals to the lawn in front of the chapel to receive a blessing as part of the worship service. Those bringing pets are responsible for their animals and are asked to bring only pets that will be safe around children and other animals. The service will last about thirty minutes and includes music from the choir, scripture readings, and a sermon. Individual animal blessings will take place immediately after the service.
ADA parking is available in the Bryan Center surface lot at 125 Science Drive. Parking notice: Please allow extra time for parking as there will be construction work on the main entrance to the Bryan Center Parking Garage from October 7 to 12, 2022. Signage and parking attendants will indicate the available entrances to the garage.
The Blessing of the Animals service is inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, a thirteenth-century Italian Catholic friar who lived a life of voluntary poverty and is known for his love of animals. He believed the natural world could give glory to God, writing in his song Canticle of the Sun, "Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures."