- Fr Terence Harrington OFM Cap blesses a parishioner’s dog at the 2024 Blessing of Pets in Knock. Photo: Sinéad Mallee. Priests across the country are taking the late Pope Francis’ call to “be shepherds with the smell of sheep” literally as blessing of pets take place on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 in celebration of the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. At Knock Shrine, the annual blessing of pets is scheduled…
