BLESSING THE ANIMALS

Shannon News, 16 April 1926, Page 1

BLESSING THE ANIMALS

ANCIENT CEREMONY REVIVE© i An echo "of the romantic past, the blessing -of St. Antony de Abad, patron of the,animals, extensively celebrated in the Latin countries of Europe, has been- observed for the first time in a century in the United States oh a scale so gigantic as to fade earlier ceremonies into insignificance. Father Gerard Alsina, pastor of„St. Felipe de Jesus Church in San Antonio, Texas, officiated at the ceremony—one of the strangest ever witnessed. Birds and beasts' of nearly ever variety common to man gathered in front of the little edifice to receive the blessing of'the ancient patron saint, who lived more than 1500 years ago in Egypt, a hermit, to whom lions, leopards, cougars, tigers and the wild life of that era came fbr v spiritual unction and physical healing. San Antonio, city of contrasts, where old and new mingle in colourful chaos,, where tourists from secluded sectors of the glooe lend atmosphere, where missions .hundreds of years old stand beside modern skyscrapers, is still rubbing her municipal eyes at the sight of a sort not previously recorded in any American city during the past five generations. True, it had been observed in an earlier era—indeed, the blessing of St. Antony de.Abad dates back to the third century after Christ. But it had into disuse during later, generations. Consequently, it was with, amazement and. awe that citizens arose one bright morning recently to see animals riding upon street cars, in automobiles, in wagons, in delivery cars—in every conceivable conveyance. : , , • ■.-, ' They ; were astounded. ■ Down quiet streets, deserted usually save for the milkman and iceman, people came''at an early hour to take their places at ' St. Felipe de Jesus Church. They were anxious to be on time, lest their pets should be forced to await the benedictions of the pas- > tor. Nevertheless, some were forced to wait. Two services were necessarybefore the vast assemblage had been blessed. : v' Men in " expensive automobiles, bristling bulldogs beside them, mingled in the throbbing street traffic with women in gleaming limousines, bearing perfumed poodles,-. pampered Pekingese—all bound for the same destination. ':■'>. .; From outside .the city/ farmers brought their burros... and goats and geese and turkeys for the "healing balm of spiirtual incantation, to form an agricultural 1 sector of the vast parade. Humour and pathos stalked in the wake of the exciting scene as one militant canine broke from the hold of his master and pursued a cat, shrieking- like a ,thousand; devils, through the .throng ithat'.parted to give way to the combatants. * Then the cat's owner hurled caustic remarks at the possessor of the dog. 'There were apologies in English, passionate remonstrances in Spanish. The man thrust a banknote into the trembling hands stretched to receive; it.', The old wpman—for such she was—picked up the mangled form of her pet, removed the ribbon from.i|s neck to be treasured as a memento, burst into tears and was forced aside by those who pressed from behind. . \ The parade resumed.

Dogs, cats, birds, chickens, geese,, goldfish, parrots, members of the feathered family and finny tribe finally gathered in front of the chiireh." There were big, upstanding collies, with their shaggy coats combed and brushed; spitz pups with their cty-ly hair; Mexican pelons, young and aged, their smooth and wrinkled bodies devoid of hirsute adornments; chihuahuas, whose black eyes glistened in excitement, and ugly bulldogs. There were canary birds in cages, red birds, mocking birds, quail, cooing doves and talking parrots: An aged Mexican woman knelt with elapsed hands be-, tween two cages, one of which contained a red-headed polly and the other a trio of Spanish canary birds. She prayed fervently during the service. When the service was concluded she made the sign of the cross, and with a serious face and faltering step, bore her two cages away to the street car —and her humble home. A Mexican man drove his emaciated horse, hitched to a rickety wagon —which served him as a dray to earn his daily meat and drink—up to the church yard fence. He removed his hat, blessed himself and knelt. Father Alsina sprinkled holy <vater in his J direction. He drove away, the wagon , zigzagging behind the horse, as the wheels, held together- with wire, squeaked a discordant protest. A fashionably dressed woman, attired in a fur coat which concealed an expensive frock, held her cat to her bosom. As the service opened shcj removed a coat which kept the body', of her pet protected from the north; wind. i Mingling with those who brought' their pets to receive the blessing were scores of non-believers, who came outj Of curiosity. Those who had heard j ,the story of St. Antony's miracles prayed fervently upon bended knees, while those who were present as secpItics looked on in wonder as the host of dogs, cats, birds and fowls, bene- • ficiaries of the service, gathered in an ever-widening circle. i However, onlookers seemed to catch

the spirit of the occasion, and they gave respectful attention as the pets were lined up. in the church yard, while Father Alsina, wearing his vestments and assisted by three altar boys, read a brief service from his prayer-book and sprinkled holy water. It was an echo of romance to San 1 , Antonio.