In the Sanctuary of Animals: Honoring God’s Creatures through Ritual and Relationship

Abstract

In the past thirty years, animal blessings and related rituals and ceremonies involving household pets have increased dramatically in the U.S. and abroad. This article will trace this phenomenon to its roots in Scripture, and to the stories, narratives, art, hagiography, and rituals of the ancient and medieval church. It will explore the evolution of the human-animal relationship from early Christianity through the present day, offer examples of contemporary animal blessings and other rituals, and consider the factors that have contributed to the demand for fuller inclusion of animals in the ritual and pastoral life of the church, as well as address some of the ethical and theological challenges this presents.