Father Dan Heusel, right, blessed the student’s pets in honor of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day Friday at St. Mary Central School. Also pictured, from left, are his helpers Odin Cooley, 9, and Natalie Buck, 8.

MARTINS FERRY — Nearly 100 students celebrated St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day with a special pet blessing on Friday in Martins Ferry.

St. Mary Central School holds the event every year on Oct. 4. Following Mass, families of students gather in the school’s playground with their pets to receive a blessing from the Rev. Dan Heusel. More than 40 animals were brought to receive a blessing, including dozens of dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, a parrot, horses and a few iguanas.

Principal Theresa Young said that Saint Francis is known for his love of animals and all of God’s creatures, and includes animals among his patronage.

“So on the Feast Day of Saint Francis we have a special blessing for pets. Families that are able, bring their pets to be blessed and the student’s who were unable to have anyone bring theirs, have pictures of their dogs,” Young said.

The school has held the event for 10 years, she said.

Students, parents and pets gathered around Heusel for a short reading and words about the role pets and animals play in the world.

“The animals of God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in our lives. God, who confers His gifts on to all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them reminders of the gift of salvation,” Heusel said.

He then blessed all of the animals present. Heusel is a pastor at St. Mary’s in Shadyside and a parish priest at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Bellaire.

Two students dressed up as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi: Odin Cooley, 9, and Natalie Buck, 8. Cooley’s dog could not make it to the event, so he carried a photograph of him.

Those who were unable to bring their pet to the event were given a “take-home blessing” to recite to their pet.

Following the blessing, students were excited to introduce their animals to other student’s pets.

“There’s nothing better than kids with their animals,” teacher and event organizer Annette Wiater said.

Brittany Carenbauer brought her daughter’s cat, Rambler, to the blessing.

“The kids just love it (the event),” Carenbauer said.

6-year-old Sadie Trout was super excited to bring her dog Daizy to the blessing. Trout hopes to become a vet when she’s older.