Golden retrievers tugged on their leashes, little cats peeked out of their carriers, and even some unique animals like snakes made an appearance as teachers, students, and parents gathered on the Quad and Terrace for one of Bishop’s most loved and treasured traditions — Blessing of the Animals. Barks, purrs, and chatter filled the air as pets of every kind arrived to get blessed. 

But before the blessings began, the crowd silenced for The Reverend Nicole Simopoulos-Pigato, who stepped to the platform to begin the service. She talked about the importance of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the animals and the inspiration behind the Blessing of the Animals, and how connected we are to all living things. After a short prayer, students and their pets gathered around the quad for an hour of fun with furry friends. 

Gallery • 5 Photos

Claire Cochrane

Emerson Davis (‘28) (left) and Yina Shate (‘26) (right) hug Yina’s cat, Kara, who stayed calm and content as friends crowded around, eager to hold her and give her attention.

For over two decades, Reverend Simopoulos has led the Blessing of the Animals at Episcopal schools. Held annually around October 4th, this event honors the deep bond between humans and their pets. Over the years, Reverend Simopoulos has blessed a plethora of animals. “I’ve blessed ponies and horses and I blessed Dexter last year — the snake and the science center,” she said. “I’ve blessed tarantulas, cockroaches…even mice, hamsters, bunnies.”

Beyond the tradition itself, Blessing of the Animals is also a space for meaningful and memorable moments, whether they be lighthearted or deeply emotional. 

For many, the Blessing of the Animals brings nostalgic and joyful memories, like Kayley Xu’s (‘27) favorite, when her dog Leo unexpectedly began drinking the holy water in 2023. 

For others, the tradition carries deeper emotional weight. Reverend Simopoulos shared a poignant experience from this year, blessing a dog who is ill and unlikely to return for next year. She explained, “That’s part of what being a priest and chaplain does. We provide meaningful moments for people when they are facing something hard.” The loss of a pet can be devastating, and the Reverend described her blessing of the dog as a “sacred moment” to ask for God’s love and blessing over an animal in its final months. These memories capture the heart of why this tradition means so much to the Bishop’s community. 

The animals then receive a blessing from The Reverend and Father Mark Hargreaves, who is invited every year to come help bless the animals. This year’s celebration was filled with laughter, fun times, and moments where the community came together to appreciate the wagging tails and lightheartedness of the event. Even those without pets joined in, enjoying a chance to be with friends, family, and their furry friends on the quad. 

Blessing of the Animals allows for students, faculty, and families to enjoy a moment free from the worries of their busy daily lives. As Stella Morera (‘28) put it, “I feel like it’s a moment that we can just destress a little bit and make the community bigger.” She mentions how this is her fifth year enjoying this tradition and always comes back to see the smiling, cheerful faces of everyone on campus. 

Most importantly, to Reverend Simopoulos, the heart of the event is to celebrate the “joy and love animals bring into our lives.” “They’re often the first thing whom we experience unconditional love with, right?” she said. “[And] they’re always happy when you get home. They can sense if you’re sad or if you’re excited and if you’re sad, they’ll come and nuzzle up to you and snuggle with you, right?”

As the event came to a close, students continued with their school day while pets left the Bishop’s campus with blessings. Next year’s St. Francis Day will bring another chance to gather, perhaps with a few more new companions.