Figure 1.-- Here we see a special cerenony, a provession of children, we think in 1967. It may have been in St. Patrick's Cathederal in New York City. The children are proceeding down the isle with the Catholic Hierarchy seated behind. All we know about the ceremony is that John and Caroline Kennedy were perticipating .

We notice some special events for children at Catholic schools. Pne popular eventcwas the blessing of the animals. This involves a procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Animals. In medieval times this was often for farm animals, but in modern America is is primarily for children's pets. This is especially the case as Catholicism in American wa primarily an urban religion, nrought by European immigrants after the Civil War who mostly settled in cities. The ceremomy is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi and his love for animals. St. Francis loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his first vrithers, staying in a small hovel, actually allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey. Francis wrote the famous 'Canticle of the Creatures' which was an ode to God's living things. "All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures." We notice other events in Catholic churches involving children, but can not always identify just what is going on.

Created: 4:37 AM 5/24/2020
Last updated: 4:37 AM 5/24/2020