Father John Ruffo, Franciscan Friar and minister for Elon’s Catholic Campus Ministry, celebrated the annual Franciscan tradition of the Blessing of the Animals at College Chapel Oct. 3. About a dozen students, faculty and staff brought their pets, or pictures of them, to the service to be blessed.
Two cats, Sidney and Sebastian, made a live appearance at chapel to receive the blessing with holy water.
Father John also shared the story of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of animals.