Blessing of Pets

Dear Victorious,

My wife wants to take our cat to the church to "have it blessed." She says she knows this has been done before, because she's seen church signs advertising the blessing of pets. I think this is nonsense. It's not biblical, is it?

Howard C. - Jacksonville, FL

Dear Howard,

Your wife probably has seen such signage before. It's a tradition in several Christian denominations to "bless the pets." Basically it's a specific church service, usually held in the fall, that is intended to be a spiritual celebration to honor the pets. The animals are honored, prayed over and even sprinkled with holy water. Many think this tradition was started with St. Francis of Assisi - who was evidently a lover of pets.

Personally, having a "spiritual celebration to honor" pets --- who aren't spiritual, seems like nonsense to me. But it apparently ministers to the pet owners, who feel much better about it. I suspect it's tantamount to a baby dedication service, as many people feel toward their pets as one might feel toward one's child.

You're right in that this blessing of the pets is not biblical. There is no biblical basis for the keeping of pets either. But if you need a reason to go along with your wife's plan - it can just be to honor your wife, by going along with something that makes her feel good.