MARTINS FERRY — “Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures,” the Rev. John Mucha of St. Mary Catholic Church said before blessing several residents’ pets behind the church Friday after students attended Mass.

Residents brought dogs, cats and turtles to be blessed by Mucha during the annual Blessing of the Pets. He said that the annual event is a way to celebrate the blessing of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

According to the Catholic News Agency, Roman Catholics celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Italian deacon who brought renewal to the church through his decision to follow Jesus’ words as literally as possible. The blessing of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated each Oct. 4.

St. Francis of Assisi died on Oct. 3, 1226, which is why the blessi

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