Animals are blessed by reverend in celebration of St. Francis of Assisi

By Charlotte Hartner//

Hood held an animal blessing for students’ and community members’ pets on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

The event celebrated the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

“It’s a recognition how important our animal family members,” said the Rev. Beth O’Malley, dean of the chapel, who gently petted the animals and blessed them.

This type of ceremony isn’t just celebrated in faith communities, but also in veterinary offices and retirement homes.

Increasingly students are bringing their emotional support pets onto campus due to new guidelines. These pets are meant to help calm students and reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

“We have more animals on campus who are important parts of our community,” O’Malley said.

Hood has held the animal blessing ceremony for the past three years.

“It started when we created the protocols for students to bring animals to campus,” O’Malley said. It normally happens on Oct. 4 every year, but due to covid as well as updating protocols, there have been changes.  

O’Malley, who has worked at Hood for 15 years, supports students and schedules events that benefit their mental health and spiritual growth.

She holds meditation groups regularly to help students with stress and anxiety. She also organizes relief trips within the United States and abroad.

“I do a lot of spiritual support,” O’Malley said. “Students don’t need to be religious to come to me.”

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