THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – The Blessing of the Animals was held Sunday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison. Led by Pastor, Fr. Bryan Lowe, over 50 Parishioners and their pets attended. There were mostly dogs and cats, but also an Iguana, a pig and a horse! The Blessing of the Animals is done in conjunction with the annual Feast of St. Francis, celebrated each year on Oct. 4.  St. John’s usually hosts the Blessing on the adjacent Sunday, closest to St. Francis’ Feast Day. This custom is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” CONTRIBUTED