A Litany for the Blessing of the Animals
Lindy Vogado
Lindy Vogado is the associate pastor for belonging and outreach at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.
O God, we thank you for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field, for creatures of the sea and creeping crawlers of the earth. We praise you, O God, for the gift of everything wild.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
O God, we thank you for pets, for the animals in our homes, for dogs and cats, for hamsters and turtles. We praise you, O God, for the gift of creature companions.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
O God, we thank you for helpers, for the animals who aid us, for service and therapy animals, for search-and-rescue dogs and police K-9 units. We praise you, O God, for the faithful care of our fellow beings.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
O God, we thank you for creatures who teach and inspire, for classroom pets and the residents of zoos, for rodents in labs and the subjects of medical studies. We praise you, O God, for the awe and mystery of your world.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
O God, we thank you for the animals of agriculture, for the lives that sustain our own, for cows and chickens, for pigs and fish. We praise you, O God, for the web of life that sustains your world.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
O God, we thank you for humans who work for the ethical treatment of animals, for veterinarians and biologists, for shelter staff and pet owners. We praise you, O God, for our calling to be stewards of your creation.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
O God, we thank you for the blessing of our lives, for the gift of being the creatures of your hand. We praise you, O God, for the world you have made.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it. Amen.
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Our church’s Blessing of the Animals service is my favorite worship service of the year. I had never attended such a service before I led one as a pastor, and I remember calling an Episcopalian friend for advice. At the time, the PC(USA)’s Book of Common Worship and Book of Occasional Services offered no guidance or liturgy.
When the new edition of the Book of Common Worship came out in 2018, I was delighted to see a robust section of prayers, Scripture, and hymns related to creation care and specifically animal blessings. While a lengthy order of worship may not be realistic for a rambunctious gathering of dogs, cats, and other creatures, I do think the Blessing of the Animals is a special opportunity to offer members of our congregation and community a liturgy that speaks to an important aspect of their lives.
Blessing of the Animals services can become a pastoral conversational opening to hear about the role that animals play in the lives of congregants. Beloved pets are often sustaining companions to church members in a variety of life stages and family configurations, and the inclusion of this service in the church calendar can be a refreshing addition to programming that often feels most geared to families with children.
Animal blessings can also help to mark significant moments of joy and grief that often go unacknowledged in the life of the church. I’ve often had church members reach out to me when they adopt a new pet, anticipating their new addition’s attendance at the next Blessing of the Animals service. Church members also frequently let me know when an animal I had previously blessed dies. On several occasions, I have had church members attend a Blessing of the Animals service even when their pet is no longer living because they see it as a way to remember and give thanks for their beloved companion.
Because they often take place outdoors and are more casual, Blessing of the Animals services can also feel more accessible to community members who would not otherwise attend a service of worship. The churches I’ve served have issued invitations to the K-9 units of area police departments, animal rescue groups, and therapy dog organizations. Blessing of the Animals services can hold special meaning for worshipers who share a vocational calling with animals, whether in therapeutic, agricultural, or research settings. Such services can also help us to consider more fully our participation in the exploitation of creation and our commitment to the ethical treatment of animals—whether in conversations about the consumption of animals as food, the care of wild animals in captivity, or the destruction of animal habitat in the name of commercial development.
The final aspect of the Blessing of the Animals that I value is the spontaneity. While Presbyterian worship services are known for being conducted decently and in order, there is only so much you can do to contain the enthusiasm found in a group of animals gathered together. Regardless of human intention, church members who don’t know each other often find inspiration to visit when their beloved pets decide to sniff and greet each other. There is the pulling on leashes and the barking at cats; there are the clothes covered in hair and the licks of affirmation in return for a pat on the head. Perhaps more than any other service, the Blessing of the Animals can remind us of God’s wild and abundant love for all of God’s good creation.
