The Northside Church in Atlanta, Georgia, has set to hold open-air worship and blessing with the pets on Sunday, Oct. 17.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Oct. 9, the Northside Church said interested participants would gather in the Special Needs Lot outside the Scout Hut for an evening of "wags and worship" on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

The blessing of the pets service will be led by the Northside Church's youth and Student Ministry team.

The church said it is a festive celebration to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, live music, fellowship, and even a few "furry or scaly friends."

The Northside Church underscored that together they would give gratitude to God and offer a blessing over to each pet.

Those interested may visit the church's website for more additional information.

Saint of Animals

On Sunday, Oct. 3, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, was also observed.

According to the Learn Religions website, Assisi is the patron saint of animals, commerce, and the environment.

The biblical website stated that the saint gave up his life of luxury after hearing God's voice commanding him to restore the Christian church and live in poverty.

According to the website, he also performed miracles on the needy and sick and animals.

The Learn Religions shared that Assisi saw animals as his brothers and sisters and prayed to God to help them through him.

Some birds gathered around him while he spoke and listened to him, the website bared.

The saint began preaching to them about how God had blessed them, according to the website.

A wolf was roaming the area of Perugia when Assisi lived there, attacking people and other animals. Until he encountered the wolf and attempted to tame it, the religious website said.

The Learn Religions said that Assisi prayed and proceeded toward the wolf, and the wolf heeded his directions and closed his mouth while lying at the saint's feet.

According to the Catholic website, the saint also instructed the residents in the community to feed the wolf daily, and the wolf never hurt or harmed any other person or animal.

Animal Day

According to the website of the World Animal Day group in the United Kingdom, World Animal Day was observed on Monday, Oct. 4, to increase animal care standards around the world.

According to the organization, World Animal Day brought the animal welfare movement together and mobilized it into a global effort to make the world a better place for all animals.

The animal day organization said it was observed in various ways in each country.

According to the animal protection organization, increased awareness and education creates a society where animals are recognized and cared for.

Several churches in Atlanta, Georgia, including the Emory Presbyterian and the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, also held a special blessing for the animals in the sanctuary, according to an earlier report from the Crossmap.

On Sunday, Sept. 26, the Emory Presbyterian Church held a special blessing ceremony for animals in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Emory Presbyterian Church announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that the special blessing for the animal's service was held in their outdoor sanctuary at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, announced a blessing of the animals on Facebook on Saturday, Sept. 18.

The church has invited the public to bring their "furry, feathered, and finned companions" to a special blessing on Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary.

 

More stories from Crossmap:

Emory Presbyterian Church holds special blessing service for pets

Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church to hold 'Trunk or Treat' this October