Priests at Manila’s Malate Church hold a special ceremony for the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, blessing animals brought by parishioners. The event draws many visitors, with wagging tails and a variety of pets participating.
Accounts describe the celebration as part of the church’s St. Francis observance, reflecting the saint’s association with care for animals. While coverage is broadly similar, outlets differ slightly in emphasis and detail. Some reports focus on the image of animals filling the church for the blessing, while others note the range of pets brought to be blessed, including dogs and other animals.
Overall, the reports agree that the ceremony takes place at Malate Church and that priests perform blessings for animals presented by attendees in connection with the St. Francis feast.
