In the Scriptures, the act of blessing means 'the imparting of power or life.' The person performing the blessing is mediating that power from God or Christ to the person performing or the animal involved. To bless is more than an expression of goodwill and caring. To bless is to impart God's power in person!
The blessing of each animal, by name, means that health, healing and life are being mediated from God for the benefit of the animal in its relationship with its human partners.
Below are a sampling of services congregations can use for a Blessing of the Animal service.
Blessing of the Animals (pdf)
A liturgy from the Season of Creation series.
Blessing of the Animals 2 (pdf)
A second liturgy from the Season of Creation series.
Blessing of the Animals
Service at St. Paul and the Redeemer Episcopal Church, Chicago IL
Leader: Blessed be God, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
All: All creation sings your praises.
Hymn: All Things Bright and Beautiful
Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors and made their tiny wings.
Refrain
The purple-headed mountain, the river running by,
The sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky.
Refrain
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden, God made them every one.
Refrain
Give thanks for eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.
Refrain
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray:
All: Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Psalm 148:1-5, 7-13 Read responsively by verse.
- Hallelujah!
Praise God from the heavens;*
praise God in the heights.
- Praise God, all you holy angels;*
praise God, all the heavenly host.
- Praise God, sun and moon;*
praise God, all you shining stars.
- Praise God, heaven of heavens,*
and you waters above the heavens.
- Let them praise God’s name,*
who commanded, and they were created.
- Praise God from the earth,*
you sea-monsters and all deeps;
- Fire and hail, snow and fog,*
tempestuous wind, obeying God’s will;
- Mountains and all hills,*
fruit trees and all cedars;
- Wild beasts and all cattle,*
creeping things and winged birds;
- Monarchs of the earth and all peoples,*
rulers and all judges of the world;
- Young men and women,*
old and young together.
- Let them praise God’s name,
for God’s name only is exalted,*
and God’s splendor is over earth and heaven.
Hallelujah!
A Reading : Genesis 1:20-25
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer for Pets
Leader: Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon all these animals. May our relationships with them mirror your love, and our care for them be an example of your bountiful mercy. Grant the animals health and peace. Strengthen us to love and care for them as we strive to imitate the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and God’s servant Francis. Amen.
Blessing of Animals
You are welcome to bring your pet forward for an individual blessing.
The Prayer of St. Francis
Leader: Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
All: Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Leader: Where there is injury, pardon;
All: Where there is doubt, faith;
Leader: Where there is despair, hope;
All: Where there is darkness, light;
Leader: Where there is sadness, joy.
Leader: O Divine Master, Grant that we may
All: not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
Leader: To be understood as to understand;
All: To be loved as to love.
Leader: For it is in giving that we receive;
All: It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
Leader: And it is in dying that we are born to eternal live. Amen
The Blessing (From St. Clare)
Leader: Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen
The Dismissal
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Acknowledgement:
Saint Paul the Redeemer Episcopal Church
4945 South Dorchester Avenue
Chicago , IL 60615
