Children, pets blessed at EDSA Shrine

St. Francis of Assissi would have liked the way his feast day was celebrated this year.

Children and family pets were given separate blessings yesterday at the Mary Queen of Peace (EDSA Shrine) Church in Mandaluyong City.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales officiated the special mass attended by children in celebration of the sixth Children’s Rosary Rally.

This year’s rosary rally coincided with the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels and National Eucharistic Marian Year. The children prayed the rosary with intentions for peace and unity in the country and in the world.

Children aged nine to 13 in parishes nationwide gathered to pray the rosary from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, which was followed by the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Holy Mass.

Rosary rallies were held in the 16 archdioceses of the country, where children convened with bishops, priests, parents, teachers and parishioners in designated churches and shrines and simultaneously prayed the rosary.

Sixty chaplaincies worldwide were invited to participate in the event, which was launched by His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin in October 1999.

In an interview, Rosales said the Catholic Church is encouraging children to pray the Holy Rosary.

"The rosary is the most available tool for prayer," he said.

After the mass, family pets were blessed by EDSA Shrine Rector, Fr. Vic Apacible, blessed family pets in commemoration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

A total of 56 dogs, six cats and two rabbits were brought by their owners to the church for blessing.

"I am a Catholic and so is my dog. Every one deserves to be blessed by God, even the smallest creature," Paola Yamsuan, 20, told reporters as she cradled her young Maltese puppy in her arms.

Mona Consunji, of the Commission on Animal Welfare under the Bureau of Animal Industries, said that the blessing of pets was started at the EDSA Shrine two years ago, but added that the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) began annual animal blessings eight years ago.

Of the significance of the blessing, Consunji said: "I want to assure that my pet will see me in heaven."