Each year on February 17th, Pope Pius XII’s Square outside of St. Peter’s Basilica turns into a farm for the Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. For over a decade, livestock farmers from the AIA – the Italian Breeders’ Association – have brought their animals – cows, rabbits, sheep, chickens and horses – to the square to receive a special blessing for animals.

While many may associate the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi with the blessing of animals, Italian farmers and pet owners traditionally receive a special blessing for animals on the Feast of St. Anthony Abbot, the patron saint of both animals and farmers.

While the Desert Father is generally considered to be the founder of Christian monasticism, St. Anthony the Great eventually also became the patron Saint of animals, as it was reported that several animals played an important role in his life. For example, a pig supposedly kept him attuned to the hours of the day for his prayers – explaining why the hermit Saint is most frequently represented as accompanied by a pig.

Before the blessing of the animals on Pope Pius XII’s square, Holy Mass was celebrated in Saint Peter’s Basilica by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter’s in the Vatican.

At the end of the Holy Mass, Cardinal Gambetti, together with civil and military authorities, visited the open-air exhibition of animals and imparted a blessing to all animals, farmers, and families gathered in Pope Pius XII’s square.

The open-air exhibition of animals, named Stalla sotto il Cielo – Italian for “Stable under the Sky” – was open to the public from about 9:00am to 3:00pm. People were also invited to bring their pet animals, not only to receive the special blessing, but also to take advantage of the free checkups offered by veterinarians.

Adapted by Jacob Stein