Lourdes Blessing of the Animals

Pets were blessed with holy water during the Blessing of the Animals near the statue of St. Francis on the grounds of the Franciscan Academy of Lourdes University on October 3, 2012. CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE, START SLIDESHOW

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Deacon Tom Sheehan blesses the pets with holy water during the Blessing of the Animals near the statue of St.... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Deacon Tom Sheehan blesses pets with holy water. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Carole Hinds, from Toledo, holds "Vanilla Cupcake." THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Katelyn Jones, 6, hugs her dog "Otto." THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Deacon Tom Sheehan blesses pets with holy water. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Mary Kay Assenmacher holds her dog "Betsy." THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Deacon Tom Sheehan conducts the ceremony. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Junhee Kwon, right, and her daughter Annette Kim, admire pets. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Sammy, whose owner is Rose Thorn from Sylvania Township, sits in a baby pram. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Bonnie Erobel, left, and her daughter Kelly Kotchetov, right, hold onto their pets from left: Akya, Rimsky, the cat, and ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Students admire a dog who is stretching out on the lawn. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Shawn Kidwell and his dog "Bella." THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT