A priest blesses pets outside San Nicolas Church during the feast of St. Anthony, Spain’s patron saint of animals, in Pamplona on Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Alvaro Barrientos/AP)
Dogs, cats, birds and even a hedgehog were blessed at churches in a number of cities in Spain on Thursday on the feast day of St. Anthony, the patron saint of animals, with many of the owners making an annual pilgrimage for their pets.
St. Anthony the Abbot church priest Angel Garcia expected up to 15,000 pets to be brought in for this year’s ceremony.
“St. Anthony cared a great deal about dogs and abandoned animals, healing and feeding them. That’s where the tradition comes from,” said the priest, who blesses each animal.
“We come here every year since I have her, and we come together, right, Rita?” Madrid resident Maria Diaz said to her dog as she hugged it. “St. Anthony is going to bless you. Do not tremble!”
Diana Castillo, another dog owner, said she was keeping up a family tradition started by her grandparents, who would bring their pets to the ceremony, first celebrated 35 years ago.
“We are from Madrid for several generations, and St. Anthony has always been a very important church for our family. … I come here since we adopted her seven years ago, and we come every year.” (Reuters)
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See more images from Madrid and elsewhere in Spain:
A priest anoints a cat during the feast of Saint Anthony, Spain’s patron saint of animals, in Madrid, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Manu Fernandez/AP)
A priest blesses people and their pets outside of the San Nicolas Church in Pamplona, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Alvaro Barrientos/AP)
A priest anoints a couple of dogs in Madrid on Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Manu Fernandez/AP)
A hedgehog is blessed by a priest during the feast of Saint Anthony, Spain’s patron saint of animals, in Barcelona, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP)
A man walks with his six dogs to be blessed during the feast of Saint Anthony, Spain’s patron saint of animals, in Barcelona, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP)
A priest anoints a dog at the during the feast of Saint Anthony in Madrid, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Manu Fernandez/AP)
A priest blesses people with their pets outside of the San Nicolas church in Pamplona on Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Alvaro Barrientos/AP)
A priest anoints a dog at the San Anton church in Madrid, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Manu Fernandez/AP)
A priest anoints a cat at the l’Escola Pia in Barcelona, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP)
Dogs Tania and Sofia rest in their basket before being blessed by a priest as pet owners bring their animals to be blessed every year on the day of Spain’s patron saint of animals, Saint Anthony, outside San Anton church in Madrid, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Sergio Perez/Reuters)
People wait with their pets outside of the San Nicolas church during the feast of St. Anthony, Spain’s patron saint of animals, in Pamplona, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Alvaro Barrientos/AP)
A dog licks her owner after being blessed by a priest as pet owners bring their animals to be blessed every year on the feast day of Spain’s patron saint of animals, Saint Anthony, outside San Anton church in Madrid, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Sergio Perez/Reuters)
A woman holds a cat at the San Anton church during the feast of Saint Anthony, Spain’s patron saint of animals in Madrid, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Manu Fernandez/AP)
A woman holds her rabbit as she waits for the traditional animal blessing in Zaragoza, Spain, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Javier Cebollada/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
A priest blesses a dog in Zaragoza, Spain, Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo: Javier Cebollada/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
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