Pets of all variations joined in celebrating the patron saint of animals on Saturday at a Franciscan monastery in Washington, D.C.
Dogs, cats, birds, fish and lizards crowded around Friar Greg Friedman at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington. The friars were celebrating the Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
Friedman blessed the animals, sprinkling them with holy water, and pets and owners were able to enjoy the monastery gardens.
Saint Francis of Assisi is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment and is the inspiration for Pope Francis' name.
