Blessing the Animals in Fuencaliente

Fiesta of St Anthony the Abbot, Fuencaliente, La Palma, Canary Islands
Friday is the fiesta of San Antonio Abad (St. Anthony the Abbot) in Fuencaliente, and at midday the priest holds a special, traditional service to bless the animals in the church square. I went a few years ago.

I didn’t know whether to expect pets or farm animals, but there were both. At twelve promptly, the priest came out, gave a short sermon on looking after your animals, said a prayer, and then sprinkled the animals with holy water.

When the cat got wet, he said something you don’t expect to hear in church, but everyone else seemed happy.

Members of the congregation

Kid and donkey at the fiesta of St Anthony the Abbot, Fuencaliente, La Palma, Canary Islands Terrapins at the fiesta of St Anthony the Abbot, Fuencaliente, La Palma, Canary Islands Little girl at the fiesta of St Anthony the Abbot, Fuencaliente, La Palma, Canary Islands

Ferret at the fiesta of St Anthony the Abbot, Fuencaliente, La Palma, Canary Islands
Cat at the fiesta of St Anthony the Abbot, Fuencaliente, La Palma, Canary Islands
Pet Duck at the fiesta of St Anthony the Abbot, Fuencaliente, La Palma, Canary Islands

Posted by sheila

Sheila came to La Palma with a six month contract and has stayed 24 years so far. She used to work as a software engineer at the observatory, but now she's a writer and Starlight guide.

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