Pet blessings were offered outdoors throughout the Chicago area over the weekend, marking Saturday’s 2025 Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
Numerous Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago, including St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lake Forest, participated.
The Rev. Patrick Kizza offered the blessings there after years of presiding over such events at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glenview.
Only dogs were seen this year on the lawn behind St. Patrick Catholic Church. Blessing opportunities around Lake County have included nontraditional pets, such as guinea pigs, reptiles and cats. Children sometimes bring their stuffed animals to be blessed.
“Since all the creatures are from God,” Kizza said, “I love all the animals.”
Kizza brought a small table outside to a shady spot near a tall statue of St. Joseph. He wore traditional flowing garments seen during Mass and sprinkled holy water on pets and their owners with prayerful words.
While he walked around to each pet, Kizza sang about how great is the name of the Lord.
“God blessed each and every thing He created,” he said. “Whatever God created was really good, and that is what we are doing, always to bless the creatures of the Lord.”
Cooper, 13, a male white westie, was brought by his owner Kris Greene of Deerfield. Cooper has bladder cancer and, Greene said, “I want the rest of his days to be happy and peaceful.”
Theo, 7, a male shichon mix, received holy water blessings with his family, Julie Szyszka of Lake Forest and her son Ralph, 15.
“I like Jesus and Jesus loves me, and I think that Jesus also loves my dog,” the teen said about Theo, adding that it was, “really cool to have him blessed.”
Maria St. Ville of Lake Forest, a 28-year St. Patrick Catholic Church parishioner, brought rescue pup Doc, 5, a male mixed breed.
“We love our dogs so much,” St. Ville said.
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Piper, 4, a female poodle, was accompanied by her owner Wendy Donato of Lake Forest.
Donato said she came, “because of my faith. I just want my dog to have the same blessings that I do when I go to church.”
Sophie, an almost-2-year-old basset hound, had two family members and fans on hand, including her owner Evie Cooper of Lake Forest, and her sister Rosie Holub of Naples, Florida.
“I’m Sophie’s aunt,” Holub said proudly with a smile. “I mean…we had to come. We wouldn’t miss it. They should be blessed like we are. I call it their Baptism. They give unconditional love.”
Cooper said Sophie “has been such a blessing to me. They are family.”