Pet blessings were offered outdoors throughout the Chicago area over the weekend, marking Saturday’s 2025 Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.

Numerous Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago, including St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lake Forest, participated.

The Rev. Patrick Kizza offered the blessings there after years of presiding over such events at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glenview.

Only dogs were seen this year on the lawn behind St. Patrick Catholic Church. Blessing opportunities around Lake County have included nontraditional pets, such as guinea pigs, reptiles and cats. Children sometimes bring their stuffed animals to be blessed.

“Since all the creatures are from God,” Kizza said, “I love all the animals.”

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