MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Can Priest Bless Sick Pet?

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We are sorry about your friend's sick pet. To answer your question, yes, a priest certainly can bless a sick cat. There is, in fact, at least one blessing for animals in the Book of Blessings that may be used by a priest to bless an animal. On our site, the prayer may be found here. It is...

"[N. - name of animal] may you be blessed in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May you and [N. - name of 'owner'] enjoy life together and find joy with the God who created you." (From the Book of Blessings Approved by the USCCB / Confirmed by the Apostolic See)

On the same webpage linked to above there is a prayer for a sick pet...

"Heavenly Father, please help us in our time of need. You have made us stewards of [N.]. If it is Your will, please restore him/her to health and strength. I pray, too, for other animals in need. May they be treated with the care and respect deserving of all Your creation. Blessed are You, Lord God, and holy is Your name for ever and ever. Amen." (Source: Franciscan Flier)

And a Franciscan Pet Blessing...

"Dearest God, Heavenly Father, maker of all living creatures, we ask you to bless [N.], who brings so much joy into our lives. By the power of Your love, enable him/her to live according to Your plan. May we always praise You for all Your beauty in creation. Blessed are You, God, in all Your creatures! Amen."

In closing I would note that, unfortunately, some priests may be less inclined to animal blessings. This may especially occur if the priest is very busy. Therefore, you might want to call around and find a Catholic priest who would either be willing to come to the cat (probably unlikely) or for the cat to be brought to the priest if the cat is able to travel safely. Of course, you also would need to provide for the safety of the priest and ensure that there is no disrespect/sacrilege (e.g. if the blessing will occur at the church). You might want to look for a priest at a parish that does the annual St. Francis blessing of animals (usually on or around October 4) as they may be more inclined to assist in this matter.

Should you encounter resistance, such as someone quoting this passage of Scripture...

"Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Mt. 7:6)

...you might remind that you are not "giving something holy that could be trampled", but rather seeking for God's representative to confer a blessing. God himself blessed the animals...

"God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, 'Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.'" (Gen. 1:21-22)

May God bless you, your friend, and their cat. We hope the cat will soon be restored to good health.

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"For every animal of the forest is mine, beasts by the thousands on my mountains. I know every bird of the heavens; the creatures of the field belong to me." (Ps. 50:10-11)

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