Holy Cow Takes on a New Meaning at Olvera Street
Online, April 9, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Los Angeles, CA - Birds of a feather will flock together this Sabado de Gloria (the Saturday before Easter) at Olvera Street in Los Angeles, California. A critter crowd of dogs, cats, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds and snakes will accompany owners as they meander through booths and visit the merchants of El Pueblo while waiting to participate in the annual Blessing of the Animals.
The annual event attracts animal lovers from all over the region and was featured in BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: A GUIDE TO PRAYERS & CEREMONIES CELEBRATING PETS & OTHER CREATURES (ISBN 1402729677) by Diana L Guerrero.
Since Guerrero has been a regular party animal at the Olvera Street event as a guest and a participant, El Pueblo's animal blessing history is one of the many included in her guide to pet blessings and other contemporary critter ceremonies.
The Olvera Street animal blessing is a thrill for animal lovers of all types. Veteran attendees arrive with pets in strollers and wagons hours before the blessing. Mexican charros (cowboys) participate in roping contests upon their stout steeds while gaily decorated folklorico dancers visit under adjacent archways.
Plumed performers ready elaborate headdresses for the procession and warm up by dancing for crowds gathered around the gazebo. Even wandering minstrels enchant observers who mingle with pet owners, sharing stories, and snacks while visiting the many booths of animal related charities.
Author Diana L. Guerrero is a native Angelino and so returned during her research as a guest at El Pueblo's Blessing of the Animals celebration, mingling with notable Angelinos such as Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles.
During the Benedicion de los Animales the cow is the honored processional leader. Blanketed in an elaborate cascade of flowers, or a beautifully constructed mantle, the bovine traditionally leads, even walking before the distinguished Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This tribute honors the historic role cattle hides, meat, and tallow played in establishing a place of worship in El Pueblo.
During her work on BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS, Guerrero interviewed many spiritual leaders about their animal blessings and discovered that animals catalyze people to cross religious lines to find common ground. She also believes that the Olvera Street blessing probably goes back further than was previously documented.
She said, "Anecdotal accounts regarding animal blessing traditions surface frequently, going back to the 4th Century, but actual documentation is scarce. Here in California, the Los Angeles Olvera Street blessing became popular around 1930. However, recent research indicates that the blessing may actually go as far back as 1781 and the founding of Los Angeles."
Despite the crowds and diversity of animals in attendance, pet blessings are usually peaceable kingdoms.
"Sometimes animals are restless, but most cooperate. Perhaps we need to give the nervous critters a list of commandments: Thou shall come when called, Thou shall behave in public..."
Guerrero included some suggested commandments in BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS. Short excerpts are available online at Blessing of the Animals. The book is available at booksellers throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
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2011: The Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals will take place from Noon until 5:00pm at El Pueblo
Historical Monument, with a procession on Olvera Street and animal blessing commencing at 2:00pm.
Diana L Guerrero is available for interviews. Learn more at:
Diana L Guerrero
Blessing of the Animals
What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality