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Expert Reveals New Church Trend:
Laying on of the…Paws
Diana L Guerrero, pet
blessing expert and author of
Blessing Of The Animals: A Guide
To Prayers &
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Guerrero's Tips for
Successful Pet
Blessings:
1. Decide whether an
indoor of outdoor
location is best for the
event.
2. Set arrival times,
event phases, and an end
time.
3. Designate special
areas for waiting,
toileting, or social
activities.
4. Set parameters and
rules in advance.
5. Choose between a
processional or
individual visitations.
6. Provide some sort
of blessing memento.
7. Request that all
participating animals be
safely restrained on a
leash or in a carrier.
8. Invite people to
bring photos or
representations of their
deceased pets or
aggressive animals.
9. Take photos.
10. Enjoy! |
Ceremonies Celebrating Pets
And Other Creatures (ISBN
1402729677) says some churches
and spiritual centers have
really gone to the dogs. The
trend of laying on of the...paws
is sweeping the globe and
escalates in late September and
early October. Learn more about
the blessing of the animals
trends sweeping the globe.
Big Bear Lake, CA
(PRWEB)
September 28, 2007 -- A new
trend is escalating across the
nation as churches and other
spiritual centers are welcoming
non-human congregants. Instead
of a laying on of the hands they
are laying on of the…paws. Okay,
so maybe that isn't exactly what
they are doing--but animals are
becoming increasingly involved
in churches and other spiritual
centers.
During late September and early
October a large percentage of
pet blessings take place in
conjunction with the
celebrations of St Francis and
World Animal Day. However,
innovative clergy are attracting
new membership by offering
additional services.
Diana L Guerrero said, "Today
63% of households in America
have pets and so pet blessings
and other celebrations are on
the rise--and this trend will
continue to escalate. In
response, many churches now
welcome pets by holding pet
friendly services and by
extending their outreach to
furry family members."
Guerrero is a pet blessing
expert and the author of
Blessing Of The Animals: A Guide
To Prayers & Ceremonies
Celebrating Pets And Other
Creatures (ISBN 1402729677) a
new book that explores the long
traditions of pet blessings and
contemporary trends such as pet
parties and pet memorials.
During her work on Blessing Of
The Animals Guerrero interviewed
many spiritual leaders about
their animal blessings and other
services. Her research revealed
that animals catalyze people to
cross religious lines to find
common ground and that
contemporary ceremonies have
become mainstream staples of the
metro pet crowd.
She also found that there were
church services that really have
gone to the dogs. Two of those
included in Blessing Of The
Animals are the Hymns & Hounds
Church in Orlando, Florida and
the pet friendly St Episcopal
Church in Stamford, Connecticut.
Although there are many types of
animal blessings and other
services that occur throughout
the year, the October 4th
celebrations of the Feast Day of
St Francis and World Animal Day
are the most popular.
On the Feast Day of St Francis
churches across the globe
celebrate with blessing of the
animals. St. Francis is the
Catholic patron saint of animals
and the environment (ecology)
and was the founder of the
Catholic Franciscan Order. St.
Francis believed that all God's
creations reveal something about
the nature of God and God's
love.
Guerrero said, "Anecdotal
accounts about animal blessings
surface frequently, going back
to the 4th Century but actual
documentation is scarce. The St
Francis blessing tradition goes
back to the early 13th Century
however the tradition was
previously linked to St Anthony
of the Desert which goes back to
a much earlier time."
World Animal Day, originally
established in 1931, was
conceived by a group of
ecologists as a way to highlight
the plight of endangered
species, but it wasn't until
2003 when it became a worldwide
celebration of animal life of
all types. The event occurs in
conjunction with the Feast Day
of St Francis.
"Blessing events are usually
peaceable kingdoms." Guerrero
continued, "Sometimes animals
are restless, but most
cooperate. That is because they
have a list of commandments:
Thou shall come when called,
Thou shall behave in public..."
If you are interested in the
other commandments Guerrero
included ten in Blessing Of The
Animals: A Guide To Prayers &
Ceremonies Celebrating Pets And
Other Creatures (ISBN
1402729677). The book is
available at booksellers in the
United States, Canada,
Australia, and the United
Kingdom or online at amazon.com
or barnesandnoble.com.
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