BOLIVIA: Peple celebrate Feast of Saint Roque, patron saint of animals, by bringing their dogs to church for blessings

In Bolivia's most impoverished city, a number of the local faithful gather once a year to celebrate the Feast of Saint Roque. From all over the parish, they flock to mass on August 16, but they don't come alone. Because San Roque is the patron saint of dogs, and these people of El Alto bring their household pets along to a special mass to receive the blessing of the parish priest. Father Sebastian Obermaier originally hails from Germany, but has been living in the densely populated Andean city for thirty years, adapting to local traditions and incorporating them in the church's celebrations. Beloved by locals for his work with the needy, and in particular with local children, Father Obermaier is happy to celebrate their traditional feast days with his parishioners. "Saint Roque has a huge basis in the people, because during on the Feast of San Roque people decorate their dogs. You have seen what beautiful decorations the different dogs have. Some don't, but others wear decorations. Now it's logical that the church must celebrate with the people," he explained. In the company of their masters, the dogs set up a cacophony of barked responses to Father Obermaier's intonations, providing a splash of colour to the proceedings as they arrive decorated with paper flowers and ribbons by their doting owners. And Father Obermaier makes sure to thank God for the presence of man's best friend. "On the Feast of San Roque, Heavenly Father, we want to give thanks that you have given us these animals, these dogs, that look after man, that accompany man, and we have the task of looking after them well," he reminded his flock. Although in this poor neighbourhood many of the dogs are mongrels, they are nonetheless doted upon by their masters who bring them to mass for blessing. Olga Lejo made sure to bring Rocky along to the special ceremony. "I have my dog, he's called Rocky. He's pretty marvellous, he understands me, he gets me, he is always well mannered," she said proudly. Miguel Aruquipa has also brought his dog along to the mass. "Dogs are man's best friend, as the saying goes, and you have to treat them well and look after animals," he said. One of Father Obermaier's main duties on the Feast of San Roque is to bless the hundreds of dogs that fill the church on this special date. But this parish priest believes all of God's creatures deserve our love, including pets and animals. "First comes the love for God, then the love for children, the love for one's husband, one's wife, and then comes the love for one's neighbour, and then comes the love for animals, for all animals," he said. So the German-born priest is happy to join in a procession with the local canine population as they parade around their neighbourhood square with their proud owners. The man who gave his name to this unusual custom, Saint Roque, was born in 1378. He was the son of a French governor, but dedicated his life to helping the poor. Various miracle cures have been attributed to San Roque, but his association with the canine species stems from a tale of how he was assisted by a dog when he himself fell sick and was left ailing in a cave.

ITN Source | August 19, 2006

Tags:. .tale. .duties. .dedicated. .ceremony. .population