World Animal Day

Today, October 4th, marks World Animal Day – an international day of action for animal rights celebrated annually on the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Every year animal welfare organisations, community groups, youth and children’s clubs, businesses and individuals organise events to commemorate the day. It is now widely recognised in a variety of different ways in many countries, with no regard to nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.

We celebrated a week earlier than usual here at St Matthew-in-the-City with a very special Animal Blessing Service last Sunday, 30 September. Our Animal blessing is always a highlight in our calendar and we were once again thrilled to play host to a whole menagerie of animals and their humans – in fact over 350 people attended this year! The largest percentage of visitors were dogs, with a few cats and even a bird (in a cage!). The service went off without a hitch and we’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone who took part.

Special thanks also to the SPCA team led by Lucie Fowler who helped us put it all together and the St Cuthbert’s College choir who, despite it being daylight savings and the beginning of school holidays, came out and put on a fabulous performance.

See some photos from the special day below and to read more about World Animal Day and what it’s all about visit their website.

We’re looking forward to next year’s service already!