Dogs and cats and Guinea pigs and a snake received blessings Oct. 2 at the annual St. Matthias Catholic Church’s Blessing of the Animals ceremony.

The ceremony is held each year on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, said Deacon Russ Demkovitz, who conducted the blessing.

St. Francis is also the patron saint of Italy, and founder of the Fransiscan Orders.

The blessing is done “because animals have always been a part of God’s creation, and we bless them just like we would bless human beings,” Demkovitz said.

Following are some images of the ceremony.

2016 Blessing of the Animals at St. Matthias