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Mumbai Priest Leads Animal Blessing Tradition Possibly for Last Time
A church in Mumbai held a special service to bless animals.
Father Joseph D’Souza, who is 75, led the service.
He started this tradition in Mumbai about 40 years ago.
This might be his last time leading it as a parish priest.
Dogs, cats and a rabbit came to the church.
Three stray dogs were also welcomed inside.
The service gave thanks for the kindness people receive from animals.
Another church in Bandra held a pet-blessing event too.
The tradition takes place around the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, who cared about animals.
Father Joseph D’Souza, 75, led the annual Blessing of the Animals at Our Lady of Health Church in Cavel, Kalbadevi.
D’Souza began the Mumbai tradition about 40 years ago; Sunday’s ceremony could be his last as a parish priest.
Dogs, cats and a rabbit attended, along with three stray Indian dogs that were welcomed by the congregation.
Among the pets blessed were Goa, the dog of the late industrialist Ratan Tata, and Panther, a rescued two-week-old kitten.
St Peter’s Church in Bandra also held a pet-blessing event; the annual observance is held around October 4.
- Who
- Father Joseph D’Souza led the ceremony, attended by pet owners and their animals.
- What
- The annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony was held.
- Where
- Our Lady of Health Church in Cavel, Kalbadevi, Mumbai; St Peter’s Church in Bandra also held an event.
- When
- Sunday morning; the observance is held annually around October 4.
- Why
- The ceremony gives thanks for animals and the goodness people receive from their pets.
Key facts
- Priest
- Father Joseph D’Souza, 75
- Tradition
- Started in Mumbai about 40 years ago by D’Souza
- Main venue
- Our Lady of Health Church, Cavel, Kalbadevi
- Possible final ceremony
- Sunday’s service could be D’Souza’s last as a parish priest
- Animals attending
- Dogs, cats, a rabbit and three stray Indian dogs
- Other venue
- St Peter’s Church in Bandra held a pet-blessing event
- Annual timing
- Around October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi
Quotes
Father Joseph D’Souza
Parish priest who led the animal-blessing ceremony
“Right from the time of creation to the deluge, when Noah was asked to take the people for safety, you not only asked Noah to take care of his people, but also asked him to take care of the animal kingdom so that they could increase and multiply upon the earth.”
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“I was worried that it would die on the streets.”
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Sources
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