Mumbai Parish Blesses Pets on St. Francis Feast, Promotes Care for Creation

Our Lady of Salvation Church in Dadar, western Mumbai, held its first Blessing of Pets on October 4, bringing parishioners and their animal companions together to mark the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the conclusion of the Season of Creation 2026.

Organized by the parish’s Salvation Green Cell, the service took place in the church parking lot and included prayers, Scripture readings, and the blessing of pets with holy water.

Dogs, cats, a rabbit, and a turtle accompanied their owners to the gathering, which emphasized the Christian responsibility to care for animals and protect creation.

Deacon Sylvester Lobo led the prayer service, which included readings from Genesis 1:24–31 and Matthew 6:25–30 on God’s creation and providential care for living creatures. Participants also prayed for their pets and remembered animals that had died.

Reflecting on the celebration, Deacon Lobo described it as a joyful and memorable first. He noted how the animals interacted before the service and how the gathering became quiet when the prayers began, bringing participants together in a shared moment of reflection.

After the blessing, pet owners exchanged experiences and stories about their companions. Spot prizes were awarded in different categories, and participants shared accounts of the bonds they had developed with their animals.

One story recounted how a dog left with a relative when its family moved eventually found its way back and followed the family to its new home.

Crispin Pereira, whose golden retriever, Jack, attended the event, praised the organization and spiritual significance of the celebration. She described the service as beautiful and touching, highlighting the volunteers’ efforts and the reflection on the bond between pets and their owners. She also recalled the hymn Showers of Blessings and thanked those who organized the gathering.

Gwyneth and Richard, members of the Salvation Green Cell and owners of Bambi, an Indian domestic cat, said the blessing was meaningful and that they were happy to participate in the parish’s first such celebration.

The event connected the devotion associated with St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology, with the wider Christian call to care for all living creatures. It also offered parishioners an opportunity to strengthen community ties through their shared concern for animals.

The gathering concluded with a vote of thanks and photographs at a photo booth prepared by the Green Cell’s youth members. Participants received prayer cards encouraging them to care for animals in their neighborhoods.

(With inputs from Russel Luke Azavedo, Salvation Green Cell, Our Lady of Salvation Church, Mumbai.)