Why Spain has a day where priests bless animals

Every January 17th marks San Antón (Saint Anthony Abbot) in Spain, the patron saint of pets. 

This Egyptian Christian born in the 3rd century AD was initially known as the patron saint of pigs, as during mediaeval times, the Antonians - the monks who revered him, raised pigs to feed the poor and to conjure up medicinal ointments.

Fortunately for San Antón, he eventually became known as the patron saint of all pets, as legend has it he learnt to communicate with animals during his times alone in the desert, and that to this day every January 17th the animals can also speak back.

A priests blesses a dog during San Anton Abad's Day (Saint Anthony, patron saint of animals) in Madrid. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

 

As is often the norm in Spain, religion and superstition have merged into a centuries-old tradition that to outsiders is both outlandish and fun.

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Pet owners across the country mark San Antón by taking their furry friends to a local church for the archbishop’s or priest’s blessing, in order for them to have protection for the year ahead. 

People sometimes queue for hours to then have a cleric sprinkle holy water on their beloved mascotas (pets in Spanish), something that's not always appreciated by the animals themselves.

A cat owner queues with her pet to have it blessed by a priest at San Antón church in Madrid. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP)

 

In Madrid it’s the church on Calle Hortaleza in the centre of the city which gathers the biggest crowds for the priests’ blessings, followed by the so-called Vueltas de San Antón, which sees pets paraded through the nearby streets.

And it’s not just cats and dogs that get the holy treatment. Geese, ponies, horses, sheep, ferrets, rabbits, coatis, you name it.  

A barn owl is blessed by a priest in Madrid. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

 

Pamplona, Zaragoza, Madrid, Valencia, Oviedo, Málaga and many more Spanish towns and cities see similar celebrations, many of which also include the handout of small baguettes to the pet owners.

It is no longer legal to own a coati in Spain, but in 2014 this coati owner decide to have his blessed. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP)

 

In other parts of Spain, the blessing of the animals coincides with other quirky celebrations.

In Mallorca, for example, people dressed as demons walk the streets and set off fireworks as well. 

Men disguised as demons next to a dog during the 'Beneides' celebration in Mallorca. (Photo by JAIME REINA / AFP)

 

In Ciudad Real in central Spain, a huge bonfire is lit to pay homage to the local pets that have died recently. 

In villages in Guadalajara and Toledo, the blessing of the pets is held at the same time as pagan celebrations which also include demons and fancy dress.

Saint Anthony was initially known as the patron saint of pigs in Spain. Photo: Jaime Reina/AFP

 

Despite many Spanish traditions being based around animal cruelty and that the country has one of the highest rarest of pet abandonment in Europe, it’s fair to say that overall Spain is a nation of dog lovers in particular.

In fact, there are more dogs than children under 14 in Spain, 9.2 million compared to 6.6 million, according to 2023 figures from the country’s national statistics agency (INE). 

There were also 5.9 million cats registered as pets in Spain in 2022.

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