In the summer of 1990, I read an article in a travel magazine that described the Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It seemed incredulous. I knew of no church that would allow a dog to enter let alone a grand cathedral allowing thousands of dogs, cats and exotic creatures to come under its roof! It truly seemed incongruous. So I phoned the Cathedral and asked if what I had read was true. Of course it was. I was disappointed to have missed such an event. Well that was no problem because they hold the Blessing every year in the first week of October. I was in luck!
Little did I realize that what I was about to experience would result in me making the documentary film "A Celebration of Creation".
That October of 1990 I flew to New York to witness the Blessing of the Animals first hand. On Sunday I took a cab to the north east side of Manhattan. I was fortunate to get a seat as the Cathedral was already packed. People had started lining up at six am. So by nine fifteen the place was packed with several thousand people and at least a thousand animals. Dogs were everywhere. Cats were on leashes and in carrying crates. Parrots sat on heads and shoulders. Rabbits, hamsters, buggies, cockatiels, and turtles were in abundance. It was truly mind-blowing!
The atmosphere was thick with magic, spirit, and wonderfully strong, positive feelings. The Cathedral itself is impressive in its enormity and splendor. (Apparently, the Statue of Liberty could fit into this Cathedral). The music of the Paul Winter Consort and the huge choir was powerful, yet serene. And the presence of all the animals inflated this feeling to grand heights. I will always remember the moment when the great bronze doors of the Cathedral slowly opened to reveal the silhouette of a massive elephant. The elephant strode in leading the Procession of Animals.
After the official ceremony, a wonderful festival occurs on the park like grounds of the Cathedral. Here the Bishop of New York and several monks and priests give individual blessings to hundreds of the pets brought by the public. Most want health and happiness for their beloved companions. Some bring sick, injured and old animals for a special blessing. And some bring pictures of missing pets to be blessed in hope of finding them. The animals get along with one another and seem to sense that something special is taking place.
I was so impressed that I pictured making a film. Finally after several years I was able to do so and headed back to New York and started shooting. More on how we went about making this documentary later.
I am sure that if you have pets or love animals you will love "A Celebration of Creation".
