Sunday, October 8, 2023
Dogs, cats—and maybe other animals!—join ministers and the Durham Children's Choir for this Blessing of the Animals worship service.
*** Note that the location is slightly different this year: The service will be held on the section of Abele Quad with the James B. Duke statue, which is between Duke Chapel and the West Campus bus stop. ***
Pet owners are welcome to bring their animals to receive a blessing as part of the 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.
Paid parking is available on a first-come-first-served basis in the Bryan Center Garage at 125 Science Drive. ADA parking is available in the surface lot at the same address.
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."