Catholic Prayer: Roman Ritual: A Second Blessing for Animals Afflicted with a Serious Disease

Description:

The blessing for animals, particularly farm animals, has been a long tradition for the feast of St. Anthony, Abbot (and Hermit) on January 17. The Vatican practices this blessing annually. The feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) is another day for particular use of this blessing.

From the Rural Life Prayerbook in regards to the blessings:

All the blessings here given have been carefully translated into modern English from the 1944 edition (Benziger) of the Rituale Romanum (Roman Ritual)

These blessings are in no way intended to be a Priest's Ritual. The blessings have been translated into modern English for the use of men and women and their families. The intention is to acquaint them with the riches of the Church which have long been unknown and unused, like a treasure hidden under our very door step. The translations here given can be used with great profit in the family circle, with the father or mother leading and the children taking up the responses. They are excellent topics for discussion in the family circle.

And finally, these blessings will give the faithful much food for deep meditation upon the gifts of the earth with which God has so generously blessed us.

Prayer:

(The priest wearing a surplice and a violet stole, says:)

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who has made heaven and earth.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

We humbly beg of You, Lord, in Your mercy, that in Your name and by the power of Your blessing, You cure these animals, afflicted with serious disease. May all power of the devil that is in them be driven out. And that they be not any more afflicted by disease, Lord, be for them a guard of their life and a remedy producing health, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Your Son, who lives and is King and God with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

(And they are sprinkled with holy water.)

Prayer Source: Rural Life Prayerbook by Alban J. Dachauer, S.J., National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310 ncrlc.com, 1956