Dogs, cats and hamsters joined the congregation at St. Mary’s Church, Stoke Newington, at their Pets Blessing Service last week.
The event celebrated the Feast of St Francis, the Italian patron saint whose love for animals inspired the service. 75 people came.
Church Warden Gill Sewell said: “I was most touched by the mother and daughter who brought along a very frail cat, and they were so appreciative of a blessing knowing their pet was at the end of their life”.
Rev Sara Cottingham, who organised and led the service, said: “I was looking down the aisle and out of every pew was a joyfully wagging tail. A dog’s happy tail for me is a symbol of their trust and innocent delight in their owners. They are just happy to be with them. And this is how I feel about God”.
Three Reverends were on hand throughout the service. Rev Charis Enga said: “[We] had brought together a wide team of both churchgoers and people new to church to help organise the event.”
Given the event’s popularity, plans are already in motion to host another pet blessing next year. Rev Cottingham aims to “advertise more widely” and hopefully attract “more birds, rabbits and hamsters. More diversity”.
St Mary’s next pet blessing will provisionally take place in October 2026, once again to commemorate the Feast of St Francis.
Edie Holt is an MA Newspaper Journalism student at City St George's. She has previously written for The Daily Mail, The New World, and The Student (University of Edinburgh) on Culture, Sport, News, and Opinion.