CONCORD, N.H. (RNS) — As pet lovers gathered in a church backyard right here Saturday (Oct. 5) with canines and images for the annual Blessing of the Animals, they had been greeted with an assurance not like any in years previous.
“I say: Carry your pet. Carry your canine and cat. I’m a Haitian, and I’m not going to eat them,” mentioned the Rev. Jean Beniste, a Haitian immigrant and rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, minutes earlier than the group of about 60 took their seats. “I’ll bless them. I’ll embrace them. I’ll embrace you. I’ll make neighborhood with you.”
It was the primary of a number of laugh-triggering allusions that audio system made in reference to a Sept. 10 debate comment by former President Donald Trump, who falsely alleged that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are “consuming the pets of the those who dwell there.”
Such rumors, which unfold like wildfire on social media, have been debunked. However advocates stay involved in regards to the results of hostile rhetoric aimed toward Haitians and different immigrants.
These gathered at St. Paul’s determined to show certainly one of Christianity’s extra light-hearted rituals — an annual blessing of animals — into an act of good-natured resistance.
About 60 folks introduced their canines and pictures of different pets to be blessed within the backyard of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Harmony, N.H., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (Photograph by G. Jeffrey MacDonald)
The Blessing of the Animals is an early October ceremony noticed by varied Christian denominations in honor of St. Francis, a broadly liked Medieval saint identified for cherishing the poor and the animal kingdom. Homeowners deliver family pets and typically livestock to obtain a clerical blessing that acknowledges their significance to God.
This 12 months in New Hampshire’s capital, nonetheless, the service was additionally about depicting an embattled immigrant group as worthy of belief and empowerment to supply blessings on God’s behalf. That reframing drew new contributors who needed to point out solidarity.
“This 12 months the Blessing of Animals takes on a brand new, even prophetic, which means,” wrote the Rt. Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, as he invited the entire diocese in Harmony to take part. “Our gathering of blessing, as an alternative of cursing, could be seen as an act of resistance to a tradition that’s fomenting violence of thought, speech, and motion.”
On the occasion, Hirschfeld in contrast the church’s response to that of Jesus, who defies Herod in Luke 13 and retains on blessing the folks.
“It is a approach of turning the vitality of the world on its head,” Hirschfeld mentioned after the occasion. “Let’s flip this right into a blessing moderately than persevering with with the vitriol.”
For observers of New Hampshire politics, the occasion bought observed as politically notable.
Andrew Smith, a pollster and professor of political science on the College of New Hampshire, mentioned the occasion retains Trump’s comment within the public consciousness “for not less than one other weekend … and in case you’re explaining, you’re shedding.”
“We could also be having slightly little bit of ecumenical trolling happening by the Episcopal Church in opposition to Republicans and significantly in opposition to the message that’s popping out of Springfield, Ohio,” Smith mentioned. “I gained’t be shocked if that is deliberately pushed out to the broader U.S. by the organizers and sponsors of the occasion in a approach that basically makes some extent about Haitian immigrants.”
Debra Ragen-Coffman of Harmony mentioned she had by no means earlier than attended a Blessing of the Animals however thought it was “particularly vital” to participate this 12 months. She was impressed to deliver Tula, her Coton canine, after a pal handed alongside a put up in regards to the “blessing as resistance.”
“I might not have come only for a Blessing of the Animals, however I positively needed to be right here to take part in a neighborhood of affection and resistance to the hatred that’s being unfold round our nation,” Ragen-Coffman mentioned.
Organizers sought to maximise visibility for what’s usually a low-key affair. The occasion usually occurs indoors, however this 12 months it moved outside, the place downtown canine walkers may simply bounce in or enjoyment of seeing all of the creatures assembled to be blessed by a Haitian priest in a collar.
Harmony Mayor Byron Champlin introduced further consideration to the occasion by collaborating and sharing ideas on the New Testomony concept of being united as one physique.
Pets and their homeowners bought just a few further helpings as Beniste made essentially the most of his position as blesser. He prayerfully laid palms on each canine, printout pictures of cats and digital photos of deceased pets displayed on cell telephones. He later moved among the many crowd feeding treats to canines and sprinkling homeowners with holy water.
“I like doing this!” Beniste, who has been pastor at St. Paul since December. mentioned with a giant smile as he shook droplets of holy water on bowed heads below a shiny, heat October solar.
The Rev. Carl Ruby, heart, and different church representatives hug members of the Haitian neighborhood throughout a service at Central Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio, on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (RNS picture/Kathryn Put up)
As enjoyable because the occasion was for Beniste and different contributors, the priest additionally used it to remind those who Haitians are “having a really onerous time” in Springfield, in Haiti and elsewhere.
The occasion’s invitation included a name to contribute to the Haitian Neighborhood Assist and Help Middle in Springfield. Subsequent 12 months, the occasion in Harmony is apt to be even broader in its scope, attain and which means.
“I need to make it larger,” Beniste mentioned of the annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Paul’s. “Subsequent time, I need to join with all of the animal shelters and the police station. Anyplace that we’ve got animals, we will deliver folks collectively.”
