Today's Western animal-blessing traditions originated from Italy and are associated with St. Anthony of Abad, patron saint of the animal kingdom. These ceremonies are performed in England, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, and Mexico. Blessings of the feast day occurs on the Sunday closest to January 17, which was the date of St. Anthony's physical death but observed as his birth date in heaven. Give thanks and show gratitude to household pets and farm animals with an improvised ceremony at home or with other animal lovers by having them blessed by a priest or priestess sprinkling holy water. Cats can wear homemade capes, dogs can wear sunglasses and leather collars. When animals are sanctified, they receive the additional protection of St. Anthony. Buy your pet a treat or a new toy in celebration for all that they do in your life. A feast of pork can be enjoyed among the animal owners.
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