Today it was sunny and I walked by a big banner on the doors of a church at Rittenhouse Square that said: Join us Saturday for the Blessing of the Animals.
When I got home I learned from wikipedia that the blessing of the animals is an event that Catholic churches hold in autumn to honor St. Francis of Assisi. People bring their pet hamsters to get baptized, I guess.
It made me wonder what the Christian view is when it comes to animals of the non-human variety. Do they believe that animals go to heaven or hell when they die? Surely not.... but if not, does that imply that animals have no souls? If so, I definitely don't agree. And what about plants? Maybe I struggle with Christianity just because it seems so human-centric.
I'm reading 'Prometheus Bound' right now... makes me wonder when someone will give the creative spark to our feathered (or furry) friends. Unfortunately I will be in Seattle on Saturday, so I will miss the Blessing of the Animals. Otherwise I think I might have brought my poor little wilting rosemary plant, which could use all the help it can get.
-camille
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