This week, the Florida Marlins had a "Canine Day." The fans were allowed to bring their dogs to the game. They said about a thousand dogs were in the stands. Before the game, they had a Catholic priest come out and bless all the dogs in attendance. It was really cool. Anyway, my question is: What is the intention of blessing animals?

I understand giving a blessing to human beings, and to certain inanimate objects, but to animals? How does that work? Why?

Thanks

-- Dude (Dude4TU@Hotmail.com), May 21, 2004

Answers

Why not bless animals?If you are Ok with inanemate objects, why not loal nonhuman beings?

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), May 22, 2004.

There is a great article in the Catholic Encyclopaedia about blessings. You can read all about it here:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02599b.htm

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), May 22, 2004.

Dude: The Bible gives examples of blessing imparted to animals or inanimate objects:

Exodus 23:25 "But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst

Matthew 14:19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds,

In the first case water and bread are blessed. In the second case (the food)bread and fish are blessed.

If we consider that the word bless in English is BENEDICERE in Latin, BENE = WELL, DICERE = SAY when we bless someone or something we are saying well of God, that is we are recognising Him as the Creator, Ruler and Owner of everything.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), May 22, 2004.