Today, at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, the clergy will be blessing animals in the courtyard between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. as it celebrates The Feast of Saint Francis and Blessing of the Animals. According to St. John's website, the day is "inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, whose life exemplified harmony between humans and nature." more ›

Over the weekend, animals of all kinds headed to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for the annual animal blessing, which marked the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Seems like there were a few familiar faces from last year (we're lookin' at you, camel), as well as some newbies. The Columbia Spectator was on hand, and reports that the room was filled with yelps and barks as Reverend James Kowalski delivered the sermon to the pack of unusual churchgoers--there was even a yak and a caribou reindeer! more ›