Companions on the journey: Animals and pets are blessed across the Archdiocese

“I hope the blessing stops her from barking,” Barbara Van Heiningen joked while holding the leash of her seven-year-old terrier cross, Amie, during the annual animal blessing at St. Clare of Assisi parish in Coquitlam. 

St. Clare’s was one of several pet blessings in the archdiocese around the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, which included St. Joseph the Worker in Richmond, St. Helen’s in Burnaby, Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish in Vancouver, and Precious Blood Parish in surrey, among others. 

Amie, whose name means “friend” in French, accompanies Van Heiningen on visits to sick residents at local care homes. While being a quieter dog might be helpful, the blessing was more about receiving Grace to help her and her owner as they go on their visits. 

Amie has unofficially served as a therapy dog for most of her life, and for Van Heiningen the experience has brought significant spiritual fulfillment. Seven years ago, when she first began visiting the elderly with Amie, Van Heiningen was Protestant.Today, she is a Catholic and a Third Order Benedictine Oblate. Yet, those early visits continue to enrich her life. Visiting the elderly and infirm is one of the corporal works of mercy, and Van Heiningen has been blessed to accompany some residents through their final spiritual rites. 

Before her conversion to Catholicism, Van Heiningen was asked by a Lutheran woman to help her find a Lutheran pastor. Together, they shared the Lord’s Supper – memorable moment in Van Heiningen’s spiritual journey, with Amie by her side. 

At the event, dozens of animals were brought for blessings—mostly dogs and cats, along with a few hamsters and even a house-trained duck named Quacker. Father Maciej Wos, who led the blessings, told The B.C. Catholic that all animals are welcome, provided they are well-behaved. “Except for snakes,” he added with a laugh, saying they give him the heebie-jeebies. 

During the blessing prayer, Father Wos reminded everyone of the spiritual connection between humans and animals. “God, who offers His gift to all living things, has often used animals in His service and made them symbols of salvation,” he said. 

“Animals were saved from the flood and made part of the covenant with Noah; the paschal lamb reminds us of the Paschal sacrifice; a giant fish saved Jonah; ravens brought bread to Elijah. Animals were included in repentance and joined with humans in their suffering.” 

Invoking in the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, he continued: “God created us and placed on this earth to be stewards of all living things.” 

“As we go so let us praise the creator and thank him for putting us over the creatures of the earth. Let us also pray that, remembering our human dignity, we will walk always in his law.” 

“How wonderful are the works of Your hands, O Lord!” 

Pet Blessings from around the Archdiocese 

 St. Joseph the Worker, Richmond 

Precious Blood Parish, Surrey

St. Clare of Assisi, Coquitlam 

Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish, Vancouver

St. Helen's Parish, Burnaby

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