Haitian American Rector Leads Blessing of the Animals in Concord

Dogs, turtles and even a snake accompanied their owners to the lawn in front of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Concord.

Around this time every year, the church celebrates St. Francis Day, a holiday honoring the religion’s patron saint of animals.

That usually happens inside the chapel.

This year, the church’s new rector, Jean Beniste, decided to do it out in the open, inviting anyone and everyone to bring their pets to get blessed. Beniste, a Haitian immigrant, began as the church’s rector in January.