All Creatures Great And Small
Horses, cows, dogs, rabbits and even honey bees have been blessed in the small town of Mikstat, western Poland, today in accordance with a 300 year old tradition. The ceremonies take place annually to mark the anniversary of a miraculous saving of Mikstat from the plague, which decimated the region in the 17th century.
According to old records, seven families survived in the town, thanks to St. Roch, who is the patron of plague-stricken people and of cattle and dogs.
In the 18th century a church was built in Mikstat, devoted to St Roch.
Preparations for today’s blessing of livestock took several days. Horses had their hooves polished, fragrant oils were put on cows, cats and dogs had colourful ribbons tied around their necks.