Feast of St. Anthony

Also known as:
Blessing of the Animals for St. Anthony’s Day
⛪

They do what with animals?

It’s time to break out the doggie biscuits and the kitty catnip, because it’s the Feast of St. Anthony!
The day of the year when we show our furry friends some love, or in this case, some holy smoke.
Every January 17th, pet owners around the world bring their pets to church to be blessed in honor of St. Anthony, the patron saint of, drumroll please, animals!
And that’s not all, folks! In some parts of the world, they even have horseback riders leading their horses through the bonfire.
I’m not a horse, but if someone tried to lead me through a fire, I’d be like,
“Uh, no thanks. I’ll stick to my cozy barn and haystack.”

Do the animals want this?

So, before we jump into the festivities, let’s talk about the importance of respecting our pets’ religious autonomy.
I mean, have we asked them for their consent?
Do they want to walk through the smoke of a bonfire in the name of purification?
Or do they just want a belly rub and a treat?
Just because we celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony, it doesn’t mean our pets have to participate.
They’re their own individuals with their own beliefs and desires.
And who knows, maybe they’re secretly practicing their own religion and don’t want our blessings interfering.
So, make sure to ask your pet if they consent to the blessing before you proceed!

Where it began:

But all jokes aside, the Feast of St. Anthony is actually a 500-year-old tradition originating in Spain.
St. Anthony is the patron saint of animals and the feast is celebrated in honor of him.
It’s a tradition that started 500 years ago in its country of origin and has since fast-traveled to other parts of the world.
It’s been celebrated in the North End of Boston since 1919, when a group of Italians settled there and continued the tradition.
At the feast, people come together to celebrate the bond between humans and animals.
There are food and shopping stands, games for children, live performances, and a parade!
And for the more adventurous pet owners, you can even guide your horse through a bonfire in the village of San Bartolome de Pinares as part of the Luminarias ritual!

How to celebrate:

So, if you and your pet are feeling up for some religious celebrations, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony.
You can attend a blessing ceremony at your local church, have a pet-friendly picnic, or even host a bonfire (just make sure your pet is 

So, what are you waiting for?

It’s time to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony with your furry friends and show them just how much they mean to you.
Whether you’re in Spain, Boston, or anywhere else, there’s no better way to celebrate this special day than with the ones you love.
And remember, while the Feast of St. Anthony is a beautiful tradition, let’s not forget to respect our pets’ autonomy and comfort. If they’re not feeling the blessings, just give them an extra belly rub, some excellent treats and call it a day.
Happy Feast of St. Anthony, everyone!