Should Churches hold Pet Blessings?

DavidPT · Feb 25, 2020

Archivist said:
No, it isn’t.

Why isn't it? I have pets, 2 cats as a matter of fact. Why would I need or desire to have them blessed by a pastor at a church?

Let me ask this, since like I already pointed out, this is the first time I have ever heard of such a ritual. How long has this ritual been taking place? Is this something somewhat new, or can the beginning of this be traced back decades or maybe centuries earlier? Who initially came up with this ritual and why?

Archivist · Feb 25, 2020

DavidPT said:
Why isn't it? I have pets, 2 cats as a matter of fact. Why would I need or desire to have them blessed by a pastor at a church?

The mere fact that you have no desire to have your pets doesn’t make doing it “utter nonsense” as you earlier claimed. Just because you don’t want to do something doesn’t make it “nonsense” for the rest of us to do it. I don’t recall saying that it is nonsense for those who do not want to have their pets blessed—why can’t you extend that same courtesy?

Let me ask this, since like I already pointed out, this is the first time I have ever heard of such a ritual. How long has this ritual been taking place? Is this something somewhat new, or can the beginning of this be traced back decades or maybe centuries earlier? Who initially came up with this ritual and why?

St. Francis of Assisi started blessing animals more than 800 years ago. He believed that all creatures are created by God and are, therefore, blessed.

Now, I asked you some questions and I haven’t seen any answers. I would appreciate them.

Paidiske · Feb 25, 2020

I would add, too, that the point of doing this in a worship service isn't that it's the pastor/priest doing it; it's about drawing this part of our lives into the worshipping life of our community. Of together offering our thanks and seeking God's blessing.

There are historical records of praying for and seeking God's blessing on animals which go back as far as the fourth century (at least); in earlier times it was more about the farm animals on which people depended for survival, the keeping of pets as we do now being a relatively modern thing.

DavidPT · Feb 25, 2020

Archivist said:
The mere fact that you have no desire to have your pets doesn’t make doing it “utter nonsense” as you earlier claimed. Just because you don’t want to do something doesn’t make it “nonsense” for the rest of us to do it. I don’t recall saying that it is nonsense for those who do not want to have their pets blessed—why can’t you extend that same courtesy?

In the OP you asked about others thoughts on this matter. So I provided mine, but since you don't care for the opinion I provided, though I do have a right to my opinion, regardless, you then chalk it up as not being courteous on my part. Would you have preferred that I wasn't honest about what I thought of this?

For example. If someone said there are times at their church during services where some members bark like dogs while allegedly being under the influence of the Holy Spirit at the time, and someone asked my opinion of it, there is no way I'm going to sugarcoat things. I'm going to flat out call it what it is as well, utter nonsense. This is called discernment. And as to the OP, I discern that God is in no way behind this blessing of pets. It is not Biblical. One can't find one example in the entire Bible where anyone is seen doing this, and that God is behind it.

jahel · Feb 25, 2020

The passover lamb was kept in the home for a period of time somewhat as a pet before being taken as representative of the family to the temple. I’m sure many blessings were poured over it.

Jonathan Walkerin · Feb 26, 2020

Archivist said:
You do realize that the blessing of guns link you provided was to a gun blessing ceremony at the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary. They are a branch of the Moonies. Not exactly a Christian organization.

I am sure there are people who think other people blessing their hamsters and snakes are bit "Moonies" as well. Just the principle of the thing, not saying Christians are specifically blessing guns.

dqhall · Feb 26, 2020

Archivist said:
Two years ago two little kittens arrived at my house. They have since managed to rip my couch apart, brought down four sets of drapes, and destroyed various items ranging from a wall clock to an antique beer stein. They have also become my two great loves and I cannot imagine life without them.

My home church has a yearly pet blessing where people bring pets ranging from dogs and cats to lizards and turtles to hamsters and Guinea pigs to be blessed by the Pastor. The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I think blessing pets is wonderful. What do you all think?

A lady in a garden apartment complex had three cats. They used the litter box until it stank, then went to clean places on the carpet to urinate. The stench became so bad the neighbors down the hall complained. The property manager evicted her. Workers had to rip out the carpet, pad and seal the concrete floor below. The tenant lost her security deposit.

There is greater blessing in helping people than helping pets. One might be more prosperous without them.

Archivist · Feb 26, 2020

DavidPT said:
In the OP you asked about others thoughts on this matter. So I provided mine, but since you don't care for the opinion I provided, though I do have a right to my opinion, regardless, you then chalk it up as not being courteous on my part. Would you have preferred that I wasn't honest about what I thought of this?

I did ask for thoughts. I expected that responses would be polite. Saying that something is "utter nonsense" is hardly polite. As an example, I know that many Christians do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but I would never say that it is "utter nonsense" for them to believe that, even though I disagree because Jesus clearly said that the elements are His body and His blood. If I were discussing that issue with someone I would simply say that I disagree with their view based on the words of Jesus. I wouldn't tell them that their belief is "utter nonsense." I think that Christians can carry on a civil conversation without being impolite.

For example. If someone said there are times at their church during services where some members bark like dogs while allegedly being under the influence of the Holy Spirit at the time, and someone asked my opinion of it, there is no way I'm going to sugarcoat things.

But we aren't talking about Christians barking like dogs at a service, are we? I don't know of any Christian church that does that.

I'm going to flat out call it what it is as well, utter nonsense.

More rude comments.

This is called discernment.

No, it is called being rude. You could easily say "Hey Archivist, I disagree with doing this because I cannot find any support for it in the Bible," but you won't do that. Saying that would be polite. Saying that it is "utter nonsense" is rude.

And as to the OP, I discern that God is in no way behind this blessing of pets. It is not Biblical. One can't find one example in the entire Bible where anyone is seen doing this, and that God is behind it.

And I would disagree. I love my kitties, and I know what the Bible says about how we are to treat those we love. I found these words online, and I think that they are very appropriate: "[A]nimals are part of the promise God made to us. They will be our helpmates, and even more, they seem to be essential to our survival on earth. So, formally blessing animals should be taken as a statement of our gratitude to God for having given us this loving dimension in so many of our lives."

Oh, and I am still waiting for you to answer the various questions that I asked you. I guess you just ignore people when you don't have answers.

Archivist · Feb 26, 2020

dqhall said:
A lady in a garden apartment complex had three cats. They used the litter box until it stank, then went to clean places on the carpet to urinate. The stench became so bad the neighbors down the hall complained. The property manager evicted her. Workers had to rip out the carpet, pad and seal the concrete floor below. The tenant lost her security deposit.

There is greater blessing in helping people than helping pets. One might be more prosperous without them.

I never suggested that we should bless pets instead of helping people. I don't think that blessing pets in any way stops us from helping people.

If you read my earlier post where I quoted the blessing that the pastor uses, it includes these words: "Help us to recognize Your power and wisdom in the variety of creatures that live in our world, and hear our prayer for all that suffer overwork, ill-treatment, hunger or fear. Protect Your creatures and guard them from all evil, now and forever."

dqhall · Feb 26, 2020

Archivist said:
I never suggested that we should bless pets instead of helping people. I don't think that blessing pets in any way stops us from helping people.

If you read my earlier post where I quoted the blessing that the pastor uses, it includes these words: "Help us to recognize Your power and wisdom in the variety of creatures that live in our world, and hear our prayer for all that suffer overwork, ill-treatment, hunger or fear. Protect Your creatures and guard them from all evil, now and forever."

That is a nice blessing. I would not want to curse an animal. I liked to listen to listen to the birds sometimes. I do not have a nature trail near me, but spent times in the wilderness when I was young. Not much to eat out there.

Matthew 15:26 But he answered, "It is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

Would it be better to volunteer at a homeless shelter or an animal shelter?

Archivist · Feb 26, 2020

dqhall said:
That is a nice blessing. I would not want to curse an animal. I liked to listen to listen to the birds sometimes. I do not have a nature trail near me, but spent times in the wilderness when I was young. Not much to eat out there.

Matthew 15:26 But he answered, "It is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

Would it be better to volunteer at a homeless shelter or an animal shelter?

It is always good to volunteer at homeless and animal shelters, but I think you can do that and have a pet blessing. A pet blessing service is not something that takes a huge amount of time. I volunteer at our local food bank and at the local feral cat association.

BTW, every year my home church challenges the other three Lutheran churches in the area to a "Souper Bowl," with the last day of the collection being the Sunday before the Super Bowl (hence the name). Members at each church bring in cans of soup. This year my church collected over 1600 cans, but that was only enough for second place. All the soup collected--over 5000 cans this year from the four churches--is donated to the local food bank.

dqhall · Feb 26, 2020

Archivist said:
It is always good to volunteer at homeless and animal shelters, but I think you can do that and have a pet blessing. A pet blessing service is not something that takes a huge amount of time. I volunteer at our local food bank and at the local feral cat association.

BTW, every year my home church challenges the other three Lutheran churches in the area to a "Souper Bowl," with the last day of the collection being the Sunday before the Super Bowl (hence the name). Members at each church bring in cans of soup. This year my church collected over 1600 cans, but that was only enough for second place. All the soup collected--over 5000 cans this year from the four churches--is donated to the local food bank.

President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. They are in their 90’s.

Matthew 6 (WEB) 1 “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, 4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.“

Matthew 7 (WEB) 6 “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

usexpat97 · Feb 26, 2020

If God is my Father and my dogs are my family, then my dogs are in God's family. If I pray for any one or any thing, i reasonably expect that my own good Father will hear that prayer and will probably do something about it. I see a pet blessing like, "Lord, here are your granddogs. Help them grow in a prosperous and happy home."

KagomeShuko · Feb 26, 2020

Archivist said:
Two years ago two little kittens arrived at my house. They have since managed to rip my couch apart, brought down four sets of drapes, and destroyed various items ranging from a wall clock to an antique beer stein. They have also become my two great loves and I cannot imagine life without them.

My home church has a yearly pet blessing where people bring pets ranging from dogs and cats to lizards and turtles to hamsters and Guinea pigs to be blessed by the Pastor. The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I think blessing pets is wonderful. What do you all think?

Pet blessings are awesome! I have even had pastors at places that have blessed pets via pictures when I've lost them. It is amazing. All of my dogs have been blessed by pastors in some way.

The only pets that haven't been blessed are fish I had when I was little.

Heavenhome · Feb 27, 2020

Archivist said:
When I was first dealing with my leg infection (before I went in the hospital for my amputation) I was stuck in bed. One day my little one hoped up in bed with me carrying a stuffed mouse, her favorite toy. She walked over to me, looked me in the eyes for a few seconds, then dropped her toy in front of me and laid down along side of me. I think she realized that I wasn't feeling well and thought that her favorite toy might cheer me up. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

How very beautiful!

That is gorgeous.

How often when I don't feel well, my dogs and cat get as close to me as possible and lay quietly, yet other times they are playful and lively!
I don't see any harm in blessing animals, I believe they are blessed by God in a special way anyway because it was not them that sinned, yet they paid their lives by being a covering for Adam and Eve and have continued paying since the fall.

Animals bless us daily by their love and devotion, which we could well learn ourselves!

My animals are always included in my daily prayers and I thank God for them as they are my constant companions that I love dearly.

Heavenhome · Feb 27, 2020

dqhall said:
A lady in a garden apartment complex had three cats. They used the litter box until it stank, then went to clean places on the carpet to urinate. The stench became so bad the neighbors down the hall complained. The property manager evicted her. Workers had to rip out the carpet, pad and seal the concrete floor below. The tenant lost her security deposit.

There is greater blessing in helping people than helping pets. One might be more prosperous without them.

None of which was any fault on behalf of the cats, rather the person that neglected them, yes neglected.
I'm sure all true animal lovers would agree, if you can't properly care for an animal you shouldn't have it.
Once again animals being blamed for something an irresponsible person has done.....

usexpat97 · Feb 27, 2020

I'm sure all true animal lovers would agree, if you can't properly care for an animal you shouldn't have it.

Not necessarily.

The alternative is animal jail, for animals who have done nothing wrong. Even a bad or neglectful owner, at times, is still better than the "shelter". Especially kill shelters.

dms1972 · Feb 27, 2020

I think its ok to give thanks for pets, - William Barclay has a prayer for pets in his book of prayers. But sprinkling with holy water?? Not sure. But I would prefer not to have people bringing them to church for blessing as part of the Sunday worship service (except as they need a guide-dog), they might try and join in the singing aaarrroooo! ^_^

Also if a cat got chased by a great dane things might go flying - so have a separate service for it. In any case where churches don't have this pet owners can still give thanks for their dog or other pet at home.

Pádraigín Ní Saorlaith · Feb 27, 2020

Archivist said:
Two years ago two little kittens arrived at my house. They have since managed to rip my couch apart, brought down four sets of drapes, and destroyed various items ranging from a wall clock to an antique beer stein. They have also become my two great loves and I cannot imagine life without them.

My home church has a yearly pet blessing where people bring pets ranging from dogs and cats to lizards and turtles to hamsters and Guinea pigs to be blessed by the Pastor. The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I think blessing pets is wonderful. What do you all think?

I don't own a pet, but I love the idea of pet blessings.

jahel · Feb 29, 2020

Speaking of pet blessings ......

Should Churches hold Pet Blessings?

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Clara bonam audax

Well-Known Member

returned to old acct

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Senior Veteran

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Well-Known Member

kewlness

Wretched Sinner/Belovèd Child of God/Church Nerd

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

kewlness

Well-Known Member

Active Member

returned to old acct

Similar threads