On Friday, Oct. 16, at 9 a.m., Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery will host its 10th annual Pet Blessing, a free community event celebrating the comfort, companionship, and joy pets bring to their families. From dogs and cats to birds, turtles, and more, every beloved companion is welcome.
Inspired by the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, the gathering has grown into a warm Mountain View tradition. Families come from across the Valley to share a meaningful moment with the pets who have become part of their stories, routines, and homes.
“This event is such a sweet reminder of how much our pets mean to us,” says Elisa Krcilek, vice president of Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery. “They make us laugh, comfort us when we need it most, and become such an important part of our families. We are so grateful to celebrate 10 years of this tradition and to welcome families as they honor the pets they love.”
Monsignor Pinti of St. George Catholic Church will begin the morning with a prayer before greeting pets individually, saying each animal’s name and offering a blessing with holy water. Families are invited to take photos with Monsignor Pinti afterward, and each pet will receive a St. Francis of Assisi medallion to take home.
While the blessing carries a meaningful spirit, the morning is also full of personality. Dogs and cats may be the regulars, but the more unusual guests tend to steal the show. In past years, Mountain View has welcomed ferrets, hamsters, snakes, and even a pet turtle.
A Morning Made for Pets and Their People:
- When: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m.
- Where: Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main St. in Mesa.
- The blessing: Monsignor Pinti of St. George Catholic Church will offer an individual blessing for each pet.
- A little something to take home: Every pet will receive a St. Francis of Assisi medallion.
- Treats for everyone: Pets can enjoy treats while their people enjoy cookies and light refreshments.
- All are welcome: The free event is open to the community and its furry, feathered, scaled, and shelled companions.
For everyone’s safety and comfort, pets should arrive on a leash, in a crate, or otherwise securely contained. Learn more at mountainviewfuneralhomeandcemetery.com/event/annual-pet-blessing.
