Feast

Pet owners brought dogs, cats and other animals to a church in the Philippines, where priests performed blessings to mark the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic patron saint of animals. Wagging tails and jingling collars filled the pews as the annual tradition drew families seeking blessings for their pets, a warm image of faith blending with everyday devotion that has been picked up by international outlets.

Italy is restoring 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, as a national public holiday. With the date falling on a Saturday in 2025, many workers stand to gain extra pay, and Corriere della Sera reports on how much salaries increase for those entitled to the allowance. The move has drawn wide attention as it is the first new public holiday added to the Italian calendar in decades.

Old North Church in Boston held its blessing of the animals on Sunday. The traditional service, often held around the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, invites pet owners to bring their animals to church for a blessing. The event drew attention as one of the city's best-known historic churches continued its long-running community tradition.

Episcopal churches are holding blessings of animals to mark the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century saint known for his love of animals and nature. The annual tradition sees pet owners bring dogs, cats and other animals to church services to receive blessings, and it continues to draw attention each October.

Historic Old North Church in Boston held its annual blessing of the animals on Sunday, welcoming pets and their owners for the traditional ceremony. The event, a custom honoring St. Francis of Assisi's feast day tradition, draws local families with their dogs, cats and other animals to the landmark church.

A church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania held its annual blessing of pets, a traditional service honouring animals and the companionship they offer their owners. Attendees brought their pets to receive blessings, with the event framed as a celebration of the bond between people and animals. Such blessings are commonly held around the feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals.

Priests at Malate Church in Manila, Philippines, have blessed dogs and other pets in an annual ceremony marking the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Owners brought their animals to the church grounds for the traditional blessing, which has drawn wide coverage from international outlets. The event highlights a popular Catholic tradition blending faith and affection for animals.

Churches are holding blessing of the animals ceremonies to mark the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology. Photo galleries from services show pets brought by their owners to receive blessings, a tradition observed around the feast day in early October by congregations across many denominations.

A New York City church has held its annual blessing of the animals, a tradition in which pets are brought to be blessed, often around the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. Congregants typically bring dogs, cats and other animals to the service. The event draws attention each year for its warm scenes of animals inside a house of worship.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church held its Blessing of the Animals service, with a photo gallery published by 27east showing pets and their owners gathering at the church. The event, a tradition often held around the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, sees clergy bless animals brought by members of the community.

Catholics around the world are marking the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, held each year on 4 October. The day honours the 13th-century friar known for his devotion to poverty, humility and care for animals and nature. Many parishes hold blessings of pets, and the date is also linked to prayers for peace and environmental protection.

Trinity Church in Menlo Park held a blessing ceremony putting pets at the center of the service, with animals receiving blessings from clergy. The event, covered by local outlet InMenlo, reflects the traditional blessing of animals often held around the feast of St Francis of Assisi, drawing pet owners from the community to bring their dogs, cats and other companions to church.

Churches in the Richmond, Virginia area held blessings for pets, with dogs, cats, horses and other animals brought by their owners to receive a blessing. The events, often tied to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, drew local attention as families brought a wide variety of animals to their congregations.

A church in Madison, Mississippi, held a multicultural festival honoring St. Francis, bringing together members of its congregation and the wider community for a celebration of food, music, and tradition. Local coverage from WJTV highlighted the event as a showcase of the parish's cultural diversity and shared faith, drawing families together for the feast day observance.

Marnus Labuschagne, the Australian batter with Afrikaans roots, scored a century in a tour match played in his country of birth. Cricket.com.au highlighted the homecoming performance, dubbing the innings a feast at home as he builds form and stakes his claim for selection in upcoming Test matches.