Valencia, Spain - Sant Antoni, blessing of the animals

 I was feeling lazy this morning and had pretty well talked myself out of walking into the village again. But luckily I changed my mind and headed out at about 11:15 for an event that was to start at 12:15. I am so glad that I did.

Past the empty parking lot of the grocery store. Darn it, I hadn't thought about it being closed on a Sunday and I am low on milk.

 

I was here to see the Blessing of the Animals and as I reached the edge of the village I saw that at least one horse was here to get blessed.

It is said that San Antón liked to live surrounded by as many animals as possible, so perhaps he can be considered the first millennial in history. Anthony Abbot or Anton Abbot was born in Egypt in 251 AD. It is said that he lived for 105 years. From the age of 20, he did so in seclusion in a cave, where he sought the purity of his spirit apart from material possessions. Before retiring, he donated all his possessions to the less favored communities.

Antonio Abad, according to the chronicles, learned everything he knew through the contemplation of nature and the life of animals, to which he dedicated practically his entire life. Many miracles related to these animals are attributed to him. For example, he buried the body of St. Paul, the Hermit, with the help of two lions, or that he cured the blindness of some pig cubs, an animal that since then has always remained by his side. from Fascinatingspain.com

The medieval market was still in place

 

but I just walked through

and found myself a place to stand by a barricade in the church square.

It was about noon and people and pets were beginning to congregate.

This official looking young man bought out, from the church, a couple of tables, table clothes and a silver jug and cup.

Then the statue of Sant Antoni and a bible were bought out

along with a vase of flowers.

Sant Antoni

This was the master of ceremonies, introduced the various animals and their owners.

Various dignitaries were also in attendance. Maybe the mayor and town councillors?

The event officially began with a reading from the bible.

And then it began. There was a long line of pet owners. Pets in Spanish is mascotas

A participant would approach and the priest would splash water on the animal

and then on the owner.

They each patiently came up

big,

medium,

small,

dressed up,

cats,

birds, rabbits, guinea pigs. 

After each one was blessed the owners were handed a bag of candy by the other dignitaries.

When all the household pets were finished

We moved on to the larger animals.

But that is for the next post.