'Blessing of the Animals' at St. Francis of Assisi Church

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, smiles during the homily of a special Mass on Oct. 4 in a weekend of special events marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in 1226. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, greets parishioners following a special Mass on Oct. 4 in a weekend of special events marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in 1226. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, blesses a parishioner during a special Mass on Oct. 4 in a weekend of special events marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in 1226. (John Geronilla)

A parishioner waits to get her pet blessed during a special “Blessing of the Animals” event at at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

Parishioners wait to get their pets blessed during a special “Blessing of the Animals” event at at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, celebrates the parish patron’s feast day with a special “Blessing of the Animals” after a special Mass and parish potluck on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, celebrates the parish patron’s feast day with a special “Blessing of the Animals” after a special Mass and parish potluck on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, celebrates the parish patron’s feast day with a special “Blessing of the Animals” after a special Mass and parish potluck on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, celebrates the parish patron’s feast day with a special “Blessing of the Animals” after a special Mass and parish potluck on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, celebrates the parish patron’s feast day with a special “Blessing of the Animals” after a special Mass and parish potluck on Oct. 4. The blessing came after a weekend of special events marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in 1226. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, celebrates the parish patron’s feast day with a special “Blessing of the Animals” after a special Mass and parish potluck on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

Father Chidi Ekpendu, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake, celebrates the parish patron’s feast day with a special “Blessing of the Animals” after a special Mass and parish potluck on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)

A parishioner reacts to her pet getting blessed during a special “Blessing of the Animals” event at at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Silver Lake on Oct. 4. (John Geronilla)