Services at the historic Cathedral of Saint John the Divine were a bit squawkier than usual on Sunday, thanks to a rambunctious scarlet macaw who apparently grew impatient with the pace of the procession down the aisle. The alpaca, coatimundi, miniature horse, enormous rat, camel, chameleon, Eurasian eagle owl, and fennet fox were all chill, however, but a long-necked goose relieved itself in the apse. She was joined by a Juliana pig, who peed everywhere.
The occasion, of course, was the 34th annual Feast of Saint Francis and Blessing of the Animals and, as always, the enormous cathedral was packed. In addition to the beasts listed above, other creatures not normally seen in Morningside Heights included a large cow, a horse, a boa constrictor, a barn owl, a pair of unbelievably cute ducklings, a tarantula, a remarkably puffy sheep, a couple of mischievous goats, and an ass who, at the last minute, refused to enter the building. New Yorkers also brought along their cats and dogs.
The service itself featured Paul Winter and Paul Halley’s soaring composition "Missa Gaia," accompanied by a mass choir; traditional West African dances performed by Forces of Nature; and a reading of the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. And of course, that terrifying NYC apocalypse scene etched into the church's facade was overlooking it all.
After spending several hours inside the cathedral, the beasts were eager for part two of the proceedings, the actual blessings bestowed upon any and all creatures on the Pulpit Green. This is always a more emotional experience than you might expect. Not for the animals, but for their human companions, who not infrequently well up with tears from a rush of gratitude and love.
