Some of the “parishioners” had four legs and their howls, yelps and chirps could be heard from blocks away when St. Columba Church held its annual blessing of the animals to honor St. Francis of Assisi.

Brooklyn pet owners brought along their cherished dogs, cats, birds and other furry loved ones for the widely-anticipated annual blessing, conducted by Deacon Lawrence Coyle at the house of worship, 2245 Kimball Street.

St. Francis, also the patron saint of Italy and the environment, was a Catholic deacon and founder of the Order of Friars Minor, better known as the Franciscans.