The Rev. Rick Dennis blesses a dog at the 2019 Blessing of the Animals outside St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

SARANAC LAKE — In honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Episcopal Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician will hold a Blessing of the Animals service on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m.

Animals of all stripe and color, live or plush, are welcome at the service for a blessing and prayers especially for them.

The service will be held outdoors at the alcove of St. Francis, beside St. Luke’s parish hall on Main Street. The Rev. Andrew Cruz Lillegard will lead the service. Snacks will be provided for pets. The rector respectfully requests animals be leashed, contained or enclosed in carriers. Humans are required to wear masks.

Participants are asked to bring donations of pet food or supplies, which will be donated to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society. Cash donations to the animal shelter will also be accepted.

St. Francis of Assisi (Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone, 1181-1226) was the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. He is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment, and one of the two patron saints of Italy.