Last Sunday, one of Wellesley’s most beloved annual traditions brought together pets and their people at St. Andrew’s Blessing of the Animals. The church welcomed everyone in town to attend, and the late afternoon service celebrated the special bond of families and their furry/scaly members. In attendance were many dogs (of varied age, size, volume, and levels of spiritual respect), a scattering of brave (or bored) cats, guinea pigs, a lizard, and a well-worn plush puppy almost as large as its three-year-old owner.

St. Andrew’s Rector (and dedicated pet lover) Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole once again led the service, encouraging vocal participation from all (two- and four-legged). The first chorus of “All Things Bright and Beautiful” showed that the pets took him at his invitation, as fierce sopranos from bichons and Yorkies blended with the energetic and unmodulated bass chorus of Airedales and more than a dozen particularly exuberant labs.

A moving highlight each year is the pause in celebration to remember the adored pets who are no longer with their families. In the words of the prayer: “You have gone ahead and nothing is the same; leaving paw prints on our hearts which will always remain.”

After readings, hymns, and familiar prayers (especially the Prayer of St. Francis, patron saint of animals, whose feast day is celebrated internationally by the Blessing services), Rev. Robbins-Cole and the other ministers circulated among the pews giving individual blessings to each pet.

Those who were older or ill had hands laid on them in special benediction; and puppies received kisses on the top of their heads. A number of people brought photos of their pets who had been at last year’s service but were taken by illness before this one. The ministers bowed their heads over these iPhone images, giving special remembrance for the pets, and praying for comfort for their grieving families.

The St. Andrew’s Youth Group played an active role this year. A member accompanied each minister on their walk through the sanctuary and filled out a personalized certificate for every pet blessed; then the group hosted a post-service reception for all, featuring homemade dog and cat biscuits (still warm, and smelling good enough to tempt the pet parents). Each dog received a beribboned gift bag of treats to take home (or, probably, eat in the car on the way).

The words of the familiar hymn captured the emotions of the day: “All things bright and beautiful,/ All creatures great and small,/ All things wise and wonderful;/ The Lord God made them all.”

Special to The Swellesley Report from Beth Hinchliffe

Scenes from the Blessing:

As part of the service, St. Andrew’s Rector Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole and the other ministers circulated among the pews, giving individual blessings to each pet, including black lab Luna.

Following the communal recitation of The Prayer of St. Francis, patron saint of animals (“Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love”), Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole blessed attentive cocker spaniel Teddie Tamura, in the lap of his mom Melanie.

Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole gave 13-year-old Clover his annual blessing — the cocker spaniel has come to St. Andrew’s Blessing of the Animals every year since he was six months old. (He and has family also gave thanks for Clover’s return to health after a devastating life-threatening illness.)

The St. Andrew’s Youth Group played an active role in the Blessing service — members did the readings from the altar, hosted a reception with homemade pet cookies, and gave each dog a wrapped goodie bag filled with treats. Most memorably, members accompanied the ministers through the pews, and personalized blessing certificates for each dog/cat/guinea pig/lizard/plush puppy.

It’s not to late to get your pet blessed in Wellesley: The Wellesley Hills Congregational Church has its Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 2-3pm. All pets and their people are welcome.