Blessing of the Animals

This last Sunday the Sisters, Associates, and Oblates of St. Paul's Monastery welcomed over 90 guests and their animal companions for the 2nd Blessing of the Animals liturgy at the Monastery.

Volunteers from St. Paul's Monastery and Hill-Murray School prepared for the event and welcomed all guests at Christ, according to the Rule of St. Benedict. Guests not only received a Monastery branded bandana but also a Benedictine Medal (blessed by Father Ward at the liturgy) for their pet's collar.

It was a warm day. Unseasonably warm for Minnesota on the first day of October (almost 90!). However, in the shade of the Monastic Chapel guests waited for the liturgy and participated well joining with our guest clergy to bless human and animal with the gift of life (water) and receive words of hope and blessing.

SUPPORT FUTURE EVENTS LIKE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
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WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers make all this work beautiful! The Sisters have many events coming up in the next many months and seek the beauty of volunteerism to make these events sing! Click here to gift your time and talent as a volunteer of St. Paul's Monastery and Benedictine Center.

Hill-Murray President Melissa Dan

HILL-MURRAY PRESIDENT MELISSA DAN REFLECTS
Click here to read President Melissa Dan's President's Perspective reflecting on the Blessing of the Animals at St. Paul's Monastery:

 

"On Sunday, the sisters celebrated the Blessing of Animals at the Monastery. It was a gathering of people and furry friends that included a blessing in the spirit of St. Francis, whose feast day is October 4. He is the patron saint of the environment and animals because he loved all creatures, some even say he preached to the birds. Saint Francis of Assisi has a special place in my heart, his love and care for God’s creation being one of the many reasons..." continue reading

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Since 2022, Travis Salisbury, OblSB has served the Benedictine Sisters as Director of Mission Advancement for St. Paul's Monastery and Benedictine Center.

Enjoy photos from the day! Did you get a great photo you'd like to share? Please email to development@stpaulsmonastery.org to be added to our gallery!