SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts – It’s that time of year again, and Shrewsbury’s St, Mary’s  Parishwill hold it’s annual “Blessing of the Animals” event on Sunday, October 2rd at 2PM in the church parking lot.SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts – It’s that time of year again, and Shrewsbury’s St, Mary’s  Parishwill hold it’s annual “Blessing of the Animals” event on Sunday, October 2rd at 2PM in the church parking lot.This custom is conducting in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi and honors his love of all living creatures.  Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for St. Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat!The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.At Franciscan churches, a friar with brown robe and white cord often welcomes each animal with a special prayer. The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this:“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”