Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, will spend part of his day on October 4, 2013, blessing the dogs and cats awaiting adoption at the Maryland SPCA, located in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood.
October 4 is the day Catholics throughout the world celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis, the 13th century Italian friar who is considered the patron saint of animals. He is also the saint after whom Pope Francis is named.
It is customary for animals to be blessed on the Feast of St. Francis given his love for animals and the environment.
The event will mark Archbishop Lori’s first visit to the Maryland SPCA. Archbishop Lori has a golden retriever named “noble” who moved with him to Baltimore from Connecticut after he was appointed Archbishop of Baltimore in 2012.
| WHAT: | Blessing of Animals in the Feast of St. Francis |
| WHERE: | Maryland SPCA, Adoption Center 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore |
| WHEN: | 2:30 P.M. |