“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.” — St. Francis of Assisi
The hurricane grotto at The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea welcomed more than the usual churchgoers on Oct. 5, when Father Christopher Marino held a Blessing of the Animals — for all animals and their owners, regardless of religious beliefs.
Such blessings are common at Catholic and Christian churches and typically take place on or around Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Christian patron saint of animals and the environment.
Father Marino welcomed turtles, dogs, cats, birds and iguanas to what he plans to make an annual event, welcoming all Key Westers and their animals. He arrived in Key West in June as the church’s new rector, taking over the duties of Father John Baker, who retired.
