St. Francis Feast Day Sees Animals Blessed at Manila Church
Parishioners brought their pets, including dogs, cats, and a snail, to Malate Church for a special blessing on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Tails wagged and parishioners gathered at Malate Church in Manila on Sunday, October 4, 2026, for the annual blessing of animals. The event coincided with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology, celebrated on Oct. 4.
Many parishes observe the occasion with animal blessings on the first Sunday of October for community convenience. At Malate Church, a variety of pets, predominantly dogs and cats, but also notably a pet snail, received blessings from priests.
Father Leonito Distor, the parish priest, explained the significance of the event, stating, “We are blessing the animals and plants and this is so much in relation to the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi … so the Malate parish has been advocating this one.”
Parishioners lined up with their pets, awaiting the sprinkling of holy water from a priest. For many, the ceremony was an expression of gratitude for the joy, companionship, and unconditional love their animal companions provide. It also served as a way to honor St. Francis’ teachings on respecting and caring for all of creation.
“They are part of our family … Not exactly like us in the sense that they can’t speak, but they do have emotions,” said Gaudine Supnet, a 32-year-old nurse who brought her four Shih Tzu dogs. “I want them to feel, in some way, that we are grateful for their presence in our lives; that’s why we have them blessed.”
In addition to the blessings, the church also provided free pet vaccinations for dogs and cats in the church parking lot.