A prayer service was held at St. Michael's Church in Orland Park in observance of the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals. Parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago held pet blessings the weekend of Oct. 4.
Father Paul Burak, pastor of St. Michael's, blesses gerbils and a cat for two girls during a prayer service on Oct. 5 outside of the church.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World