FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Saint Paul's Episcopal Church's annual blessing of the animals looked different this year, as the church held a socially distant, drive-thru event instead.
Sunday's event was the 25th annual blessing of the animals, which celebrates the world's animals and marks the Feast Day of Saint Francis. Usually the blessings are given in a large outdoor ceremony, but the church wanted to make sure the event was safe and that they were taking COVID-19 precautions.
Organizers said they knew they had to find a way continue the tradition for their 25th year.
"It was a no brainer," Rusty McCown, a rector at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, said. "We were going to have it one way or another, we were just going to figure out the best way to have it to honor the animals we love so much.
While most animals were household pets, they weren't all dogs and cats at the blessing. Rectors blessed other animals as well, like turkeys, turtles and even a possum.
