Blessing of the Animals at St. Andrew Church

St. Andrew Church will hold a traditional “Blessing of the Animals” ceremony
The public and their precious pet friends are invited to attend the traditional Blessing of the Animals to be held on Saturday, April 7 at 12 noon in the yard of St. Andrew School located on the corner of Raymond and Chestnut Street, in Old Pasadena.  All pets are invited so long as they are properly restrained or caged. The Blessing of the Animals is an established tradition held annually on Holy Saturday, in the Los Angeles area, since 1930.  Holy Saturday is the last day of Holy Week also known as the Vigil of Easter and ends the season of Lent.The centuries-old ceremony of Blessing of the Animals dates back to fourth century Spain when San Antonio de Abad was recognized as the Patron Saint of the Animal Kingdom.  In those days, the people would take their animals to the priest to receive a blessing and ask for fertility and health.  Today, Blessing of the Animals is held in grateful recognition of the tremendous services given to the human race by the animal kingdom.