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A joyous procession of God’s creatures, both great and
small, will flock to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
for a ceremony and special blessing at the 32nd annual
Feast of Saint Francis and Blessing of the Animals on
Sunday, October 2nd from
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the
Divine, located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 112th Street)
in Manhattan.
This signature Cathedral service features the Missa
Gaia (or
Earth Mass), composed by Paul Winter and Paul Halley. The
event also includes a massed choir conducted by Kent Tritle,
a dance performance by Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, and
musical performances by the Paul Winter Consort. The unique
ceremony concludes
with the Procession of the Animals down the Nave of the
Cathedral.
The day is a celebration of the life of Saint Francis of
Assisi and his advocacy for harmony between human beings and
the natural world. Following the procession, guests are
welcomed to enjoy an outdoor fair from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at
which many groups will share information on their community
efforts, including animal, environmental, and other social
justice causes. Delicious food will be available from
Gorilla Cheese NYC. Guests can enjoy face painting and other
family-friendly activities, including a performance by the
Mettawee River Theatre Company.
Guests are encouraged to bring their pets to the Cathedral
to be a part of the celebration and to receive a special
blessing. In years past, thousands of dogs, cats, birds,
reptiles and their owners have attended the event. Pet
blessings begin on the Cathedral’s outdoor Pulpit Green at
approximately 1:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, but limited space
is available. Advance Pass reservations will be available HERE on
Tuesday, September 6th at 10 am EST. Day-Of Passes will be
available on the morning of the event. Quantities are very
limited. It is recommended that visitors arrive as early as
possible for pass distribution. For more information, please
visit http://www.stjohndivine.org/visit/calendar/events/liturgy-worship/14487/the-feast-of-saint-francis-and-blessing-of-the-animals.
DATE: Sunday,
October 2nd
TIME: Service: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Outdoor Fair: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
PLACE:
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at
112th Street) Manhattan
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