Families from around Oakdale gathered with their furry friends around a garden dedicated to St. Francis at St. John’s Episcopal Church during the church’s annual Blessing of the Animals service.

For the fifth year, the Oakdale Historical Society partnered with St. John’s Episcopal Church to provide blessings to local pets, even if they could only appear at the event in picture form. Around a dozen families brought their dogs to the service, with pictures of cats also receiving blessings.

The Rev. Benjamin Brenkert, priest at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Sayville, led the blessing service in front of a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.

As the service began, a flock of geese lined up in a tight V formation and flew overhead, performing a sort of “fly-by” to the delight of attendees and Brenkert.

“Animals have the same source as human beings; like us, they derive the life of thought, will, and love from the Creator,” Brenkert said, quoting St. Francis in opening the blessing service. “Not to hurt our humble animal brethren was our first duty to them.”

The well-behaved canines each received a personal blessing alongside their owner and a St. Francis medal for their collar.

While only dogs were present at this year’s service, in previous years, St. John’s has blessed animals from reptiles to snails. The blessing service also coincided with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who, alongside supporting animals, is also known for championing the impoverished and founding the Franciscan order.

While animal blessing services took place at many churches across the globe recently, St. John’s Episcopal Church distinguished itself by holding its service beside a shrine dedicated to St. Francis.

The shrine was built two years ago as part of a local Eagle Scout project dedicated to protecting and serving animals.

Alongside the shrine, the St. John’s Episcopal Church yard features around 80 standing graves dating back over 200 years, as well as relaxing areas including a labyrinth and gazebo.

St. John’s Episcopal Church holds services on the first three Sundays each month at 11:30 a.m.