Blessing of the Animals

Dogs, cats -- maybe hamsters, iguanas and other animals -- will join ministers and the Durham Children's Choir in front of Duke Chapel for the Blessing of the Animals worship service.

Pet owners are welcome to bring their animals to the lawn in front of the chapel to receive a blessing as part of the worship service. Those bringing pets are responsible for their animals and are asked to bring only pets that will be safe around children and other animals.

The service will last about thirty minutes and feature performances by the Durham Children's Choir, Scripture readings and a sermon. Individual animal blessings will take place immediately after the service.

Free parking is available in the Bryan Center parking garage at 125 Science Drive. ADA parking is available in the Bryan Center Surface Lot at the same address.

The rain date for the event is Sunday, October 13, at 3:00 p.m.

Animal welfare groups will be present at the event to offer education materials.

Choral Evensong, a mostly sung traditional service with scripture readings and prayer, will immediately follow the service at 4:00 p.m. inside the Chapel.