October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, is celebrated around
the world, and not just by people.

In honor of the thirteenth-century Italian ascetic who, according to legends, preached to birds and fishes, and even tamed a wolf with his words alone, pets are taken to church to be blessed. A life-affirming ceremony took place for the patron of animals and of the city at St. Boniface church in the Tenderloin.

Here some of the churches in San Francisco offering the blessing every year at the beginning of October.

St. Boniface Church
133 Golden Gate Ave.
(415)-863-0111
www.saintbonifacesf.org

Grace Cathedral
1100 California Street
(415) 749-6300
www.gracecathedral.org

Bethany United Methodist Church
1268 Sanchez St. (@ Clipper)
(415) 647-8393
www.bethanysf.org

All Saints' Episcopal Church
1350 Waller Street
(415) 621-1862
www.allsaintssanfran.org

And in June, in occasion of North Beach Festival,

National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi
610 Vallejo Street
(415) 983-0405
www.shrinesf.org