Paws, prayers and plenty of blessings at Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals
Dogs, cats, birds, turtles and even lizards drew a crowd at the annual Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, April 4, where catholic archbishop Jose H. Gomez blessed pets while others enjoyed cultural festivities and food.
The event took place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with all kinds of entertainment such as Aztec cultural dancers beginning at 12 p.m. and the official line for animal blessings commencing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Blessing of the Animals takes place on the Saturday before Easter, and has been a tradition since 1930. The event was founded in the Los Angeles area, where the priest of La Placita church would “bless the livestock of the farmers to keep them healthy and productive, benefitting the entire community,” according to the official Olvera Street event website.