Bless the Beasts

Day of the iguana: Divinity student Carl Clark left, an arts and faith intern at Duke Chapel, with Bubbette, owned by Darry Connor. Photos: Les Todd

People and their pets converged on the Duke Chapel lawn in October for the the sixteenth annual Blessing of the Animals. The service commemorates the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who believed all creatures are from God and should be treated with dignity and respect.

Cats and dogs were the most common, but horses, goats, sheep, ferrets, goldfish, snakes, and parrots made appearances for individual blessings. An hour-long program featured music, readings, and educational exhibits.