PHOTOS: A blessing for the animals in Rindge

Laddie, a rescue mix owned by Steven and Karen Donnelly, waits to be blessed. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

Posy, a black Labrador owned by Nicky Dumort of Jaffrey, recieves a blessing of holy water and a prayer. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

The Rev. Steve Miller blesses Australian shepherd Maddie and corgi Lilly, as Lynn Estep and Julianne Losee of Hancock look on. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

The Rev. Steve Miller gives a blessing to mixed-breed Teagan. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

The Rev. Steve Miller opens the Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge on Sunday with the folk song “A Place in the Choir (All God’s Critters).” STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

The Rev. Steve Miller blesses Dale the ox, while owner Jim Weidner looks on. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

The Rev. Steve Miller blesses Clover the horse. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI

The Rev. Steve Miller blesses Clover the horse. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

The Rev. Steve Miller blesses Dale the ox, while owner Jim Weidner looks on. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Published: 10-21-2024 12:03 PM

Rindge nh

On Sunday, the Rev. Steve Miller of the First Church in Jaffrey took his service to the annual Blessing of the Animals at Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge. The event is held every fall on the closest Sunday to the feast day for St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of birds, animals and the environment, and is held in the Cathedral’s St. Francis outdoor sanctuary garden. Miller blessed multiple dogs, photographs of pets, an ox and a horse.