04:04Dozens of pet owners flocked to a local church in Lima on Sunday to have their furry companions blessed during the Feast of St Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals.
Footage shows locals carrying their pets, including rabbits, chickens, dogs and cats, as a Franciscan priest doused them with holy water.
A local chicken farmer said the blessing had become a yearly tradition for her and her livestock.
"All the pets that I have had before, I have had my little dog, who always came. Every year, we bring a different pet to bless," she added.
A second local said she brought her beloved rabbit to the blessing because he is a 'joy' and the 'king of the house'.
"I have come so that 'Copito' is blessed by God and that he lasts for our family an eternity because he is a blessing," she added.
The annual Catholic Church ceremony is held on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals and the environment. The Italian friar who started the order of Franciscans in 1209 died close to midnight on October 3, 1226, but the church recognises his feast day as October 4.
Paws be with you! Lima's animal lovers attend 'pet blessing' ceremony on St Francis of Assisi Day
Dozens of pet owners flocked to a local church in Lima on Sunday to have their furry companions blessed during the Feast of St Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals.
Footage shows locals carrying their pets, including rabbits, chickens, dogs and cats, as a Franciscan priest doused them with holy water.
A local chicken farmer said the blessing had become a yearly tradition for her and her livestock.
"All the pets that I have had before, I have had my little dog, who always came. Every year, we bring a different pet to bless," she added.
A second local said she brought her beloved rabbit to the blessing because he is a 'joy' and the 'king of the house'.
"I have come so that 'Copito' is blessed by God and that he lasts for our family an eternity because he is a blessing," she added.
The annual Catholic Church ceremony is held on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals and the environment. The Italian friar who started the order of Franciscans in 1209 died close to midnight on October 3, 1226, but the church recognises his feast day as October 4.
Dozens of pet owners flocked to a local church in Lima on Sunday to have their furry companions blessed during the Feast of St Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals.
Footage shows locals carrying their pets, including rabbits, chickens, dogs and cats, as a Franciscan priest doused them with holy water.
A local chicken farmer said the blessing had become a yearly tradition for her and her livestock.
"All the pets that I have had before, I have had my little dog, who always came. Every year, we bring a different pet to bless," she added.
A second local said she brought her beloved rabbit to the blessing because he is a 'joy' and the 'king of the house'.
"I have come so that 'Copito' is blessed by God and that he lasts for our family an eternity because he is a blessing," she added.
The annual Catholic Church ceremony is held on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals and the environment. The Italian friar who started the order of Franciscans in 1209 died close to midnight on October 3, 1226, but the church recognises his feast day as October 4.