Pets blessed at Franklin Square church for Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

As they waited for the benediction, they scratched, barked and got tangled up in their leashes.

A French bulldog, a labradoodle, a dachshund and a half-dozen other canines had come with their owners to be blessed as part of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, offered at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Franklin Square on Saturday morning.

"Thank you, Father God, for the blessings that these animals bring to us, to families, to friends, to the neighbors," said Pastor Emilce Erato, standing on the steps of church building during a brief prayer.

The pastor then went around to each four-legged creature to offer an individual blessing, along with a pat on the head.

The Feast of St. Francis commemorates the Italian friar and founder of the Franciscan religious order in the 13th century, who was also known for his love of animals. Although the holiday occurs on Oct. 4 every year, some congregations hold blessings over the weekend to accommodate people's work schedules. 

According to the Catholic tradition, St. Francis was a former soldier who underwent a spiritual conversion, adopting a lifestyle of poverty and preaching. He had a way with animals, speaking to birds and once brokering a pact of peace between a wolf and the Italian townspeople of Gubbio, according to popular stories.

While the Feast of St. Francis is primarily celebrated by Catholics, a number of Protestant denominations also offer blessings for animals on the holiday.

On Long Island, Christ Episcopal Church in Sag Harbor and Old Steeple Community Church, a United Church of Christ congregation in Aquebogue, also had animal blessings scheduled over the weekend.

Erato, a native of Costa Rica who joined the Lutheran church after immigrating to the United States 30 years ago, said Lutherans recognize saints like Francis, though they do not pray to them like Catholics do.

The event on Saturday was open to all kinds of pets (although only dogs showed up), and welcomed church members and nonmembers alike.

Rocco Mastrantoni said he lives around the corner and came with his dog Bishop after seeing a flyer for the event, though he does not belong to the Lutheran church.

Michele Sciaraffo, of Franklin Square, came to bless her 12-year-old dachshund, Sara.

Sciaraffo said she is Catholic but that her parish, St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church, decided not to offer the blessing this year.

“I know Lutherans don't believe in the saints like the Catholics do, but they still bless the animals, and that's important for anybody that believes,” Sciaraffo said. “If you’re a lover of animals, you’re gonna believe in St. Francis.”