Dogs and snakes and chickens, oh my!
During the annual Upper School Blessing of the Animals Chapel on Friday, Oct. 4, dogs of all sizes and the EA Science Department resident snake, Octavia, were special guests of honor in the Class of 1944 Chapel. Those beloved pets, along with 30 Middle School students' pets blessed during the Middle School Blessing of the Animals Chapel on Oct. 3 and the 20+ family and class pets blessed during the Lower School Blessing of the Animals Chapel on Oct. 4, were all celebrated in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
Piccius—one of EA's resident chickens—was a fan favorite during the Middle School Blessing of the Animals, while a goat, snake, gerbils, hermit crabs, and frogs got extra love amongst furry friends during the Lower School Blessing of the Animals.
"I think St. Francis provides an excellent example of simplicity in following the Gospel that calls all of us to care across our differences, respect the dignity of all creatures, and make the stranger our neighbor," said Head Chaplain Fr. Tim Gavin, Hon. "As we honor St. Francis, who embraced all of God's creation and lived and served among the poor, we remember we are caretakers of not only one another but all of God's creatures."
Fr. Tim started the EA tradition of having a Blessing of the Animals Chapel service in the Upper School on or around Oct. 4—the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi and World Animal Day—after becoming Head Chaplain in 2016. "I love animals in general and their unpredictable nature," he said. "I also love reminding our community that taking care of our pets and other parts of creation reminds us we are part of something greater than ourselves." The joyous celebration has since grown to include Middle and Lower School students, with all ages enjoying the sight of traditional and non-traditional pets in Chapel.
In addition to the Chapel services, Lower School students had an additional opportunity to celebrate their family pets during afternoon carline on Oct. 4, when blessings (and treats!) were offered by Fr. Tim and Middle School Chaplain Rev. Michael Palmisano.