The leaves have changed colors now (I took this photo in August) but the scenery is the same. 

Happy Monday, everyone!

Paz

I forgot to post the photo of the baby kangaroo.  The lady carrying the kangaroo looks familiar.  Hmm…

So here it is and a few more photos. 

Paz

Ed. Note:  Dianne, in the comments section. confirm my thoughts that the lady carrying the kangarro is, indeed, actress Edie Falco.  Like everyone (with the exception of the guy handling the snake), she looked happy to be a part of the procession.  Lastly, thanks to Tanita and David in the comments section, the animal in photo #5 has been identified as a South American Coati. Thanks, everyone, for your comments.

 I don’t think this guy smiled during the entire procession he looked super serious.  But I guess if I had a snake around my neck, I’d be serious, too. 

Smile, whaddya? 

A better photo than the one in the previous post.

Ed. Note:  Thanks to Tanita and David, this animal has been identified as a South American Coati.

Being served communion outside before the procession.

Standing in line and waiting to be blessed.

In addition to LiveSTRONG day 2011, St. Francis Day (also known as Blessing of the Animals) fell on October 2.

Every year, in early autumn, there’s a special service in honor of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.  Dog, cats, and other animals go church.  Yes, they do.  They receive a special blessing in the church.  The service is a reminder to us about the responsibility of taking care of animals.

A few years ago, I took my dogs to the service (You can read about it HERE).  I’m happy to report that they were very well-behaved.  Actually, all the animals in attendance acted properly.  Dogs sat next to cats, who sat next to gold fish, who sat next to canaries, and parrots, who sat next to snakes…  Really! 

During the service, there’s a special procession of animals, both domestic and exotic, down the aisle of the cathedral.  It’s a sight to behold!  When I was there with my dogs, an elephant participated in a parade.  He (or she) was my favorite!   Unfortunately, this year, the elephant was missing (so were the camel and horse).   I was told that the elephant that normally came had died.

This year, large animals were not included in the special march.   Instead, there were smaller animals – a llama, turtle, tortoise, chicken, turkey, duck, sheep, snake, baby kangaroo, baby monkey, parrot, miniature horse, etc…   No matter the size it was still fun to watch the animals go down the aisle.

After the service, there was a St. Francis Day fair behind the cathedral with food, music, and activities.  It was a good day for everyone involved.

Paz 

Llama?

Baby cow?  Bull?  What is this?

What is this?

Ed. Note:  Thanks to Tanita and David, this animal has been identified as a South American Coati.

Umm… Is this a baby cow/bull?

Turkey looks like he wants to escape.

Can you see the turtle?

Can’t miss the tortoise.  

I don’t think he looks happy with his outfit.

Blessing the dog

 Blessing some birds.

Blessing another dog

This is my favorite photo. 

The little boy brought his fish (a Betta/Siamese Fighter Fish) to be blessed.

He seemed nervous, happy, excited, in awe of the experience.

The Riverside Church and a few shadows.

Check out HEY HARRIET to see a line up of shadow shots by other bloggers.

Paz

At the end of this small but normally busy street, you’ll find St. John the Divine, the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the world.  I’ve posted several photos of it here and I’m sure there’ll be many more to come.  Anytime I pass by, I never get tired of taking photos of this cathedral.   

Happy Friday, all!

Paz