Every year around this time the Friars of San Damiano in Danville invite owners of furry, feathered, and four-legged friends to their beautiful retreat for a special blessing to honor the feast of St. Francis. I accompanied my favorite furry little canine and her owner up into the hills above Danville to take part in this ritual blessing. The weather was spectacular and while the animals and their owners assembled and waited for the arrival of the priest and the holy water, I cruised around the grounds and snapped a few shots. Take a look at what I found... |
The main building as seen from the parking lot...
The main entryway...
Beautiful Spanish architecture...
St. Francis Assisi greets arriving guests...
The resting area...
Looking upward...
Lovely archways...
Autumn grass and blue sky...
Fading blooms...
Another resting spot...
Happy flowers line the pathways...
Inside the courtyard...
The fountain...
Typical window...
Brilliant Bougainvillea...
The priest finally arrives...
He greets the crowd...
The photographer from the local newspaper snaps away too...
The two scruffy little guys try to be patient...
Here's my little furry friend being blessed...
Souvenirs for sale...
While the blessings continue, I headed up the hill...
That's the main building...
First signs of fallen leaves...
And Mt. Diablo watching over the San Ramon Valley...
So, the cats and dogs of various shapes and sizes as well as a couple of smart looking chickens got their blessings for one more year - along with their equally colorful owners!
