Vatican
City, 17 January 2014 (VIS) – Today, 17 January, marks the
liturgical commemoration of St. Anthony Abbot, patron and protector
of animals. Just as in years past for this feastday, St. Peter's
square will be filled with animals. The Italian Association of
Livestock Farmers (AIA) has organized a series of events in honour of
their patron saint.
The
day began at 10:30 with Mass in the Vatican Basilica presided by
Cardinal Angelo Comastri, vicar general of His Holiness for Vatican
City. At noon there was a procession of horses and riders along Via
della Conciliazione in which the military band of the IVth Regiment
of mounted police will take part. After the procession, around 12:30,
the guests of honour―cows,
goats, rabbits, sheep, chickens, etc., and their owners―were
blessed.
The
members of AIA also invited all residents with pets to join in the
celebration and, if they wished, to make use of the free veterinary
visit offered to their four-legged friends.
Throughout
the day, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, there was an exhibition of animals in
the Pio XII Square directly in front of the Bernini colonnade around
St. Peter's Square, an entire farm in the city, showcasing Italian
livestock production.
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