Paws, prayers and plenty of blessings at Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals

Dogs, cats, birds, turtles and even lizards drew a crowd at the annual Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, April 4, where catholic archbishop Jose H. Gomez blessed pets while others enjoyed cultural festivities and food.

The event took place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with all kinds of entertainment such as Aztec cultural dancers beginning at 12 p.m. and the official line for animal blessings commencing from 2 p.m. to  4 p.m.

The Blessing of the Animals takes place on the Saturday before Easter, and has been a tradition since 1930. The event was founded in the Los Angeles area, where the priest of La Placita church would “bless the livestock of the farmers to keep them healthy and productive, benefitting the entire community,” according to the official Olvera Street event website.

^{A small dog with heart glasses in a convertible and a parrot were two of many pets who were waiting to get their blessing at the Olvera Street Blessings of the Animals on Saturday, April 4. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

When Olvera Street officially opened in 1930, the event shifted from livestock to more specifically pets, as the blessings were open to all. 

The official Olvera events website states that “While the blessing is rooted in Catholic tradition, you do not have to be Catholic to participate. ALL PETS AND HUMANS ARE WELCOME!”

Although there are inherent Catholic ties to the Blessing of the Animals event, with an archbishop doing the blessings, many event attendees do not necessarily identify themselves as Catholic. 

“Yeah, I was raised Catholic, but don’t identify with it now. I come every year and it is more about getting to connect with the community over good vibes and the shared love of our animals over anything else,” attendee Alex Webber said. 

Webber had his black cat, Ocean, perched on his shoulder with a gold leash and matching bow, while they waited in line to receive their blessing. 

Paolo Manuel, another attendee of the event, felt the same way as most people celebrating the day.

^{A boa constrictor and a bearded dragon meet as they are waiting along with hundreds of humans and their animals in line to receive the holy water shower at the 2026 Blessing of the Animals held in LA Plaza Saturday, April 4, in downtown Los Angeles. Olvera Street hosted the annual event, bringing many from across the state to have both living and non-living animals alive in their hearts. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

“The blessing for us is more about wishing good health and a long life for our pet, more than it is about having religious ties,” said Manuel.

For others, the event can be considered to be culturally significant with the overall Mexican history of Olvera Street and the Blessing of the Animals tradition itself. 

A variety of cultural dances were performed on stage at Placita Olvera, one of them being Aztec danza. 

Alina Recinos, a performer for Aztec danza, provided her insight into the Mexican culture and community with Olvera Street and the Blessings of the Animals tradition.

“This is part of our culture, we come, we bring energy, and we say a little prayer, this is the heart of LA, it’s therapy healing,” said Recinos. 

^{Folklorico dancer performs at the Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals event held on April 4. The event gives pet owners and enthusiasts the opportunity to blessing their pet by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

Recinos also said that they dance and perform at the Blessing of the Animals every year, as well as at several other cultural events around Los Angeles. 

For members of the Los Angeles community, this event is so much more than just a religious ceremony; it is a way to bond with their community over a love of pets and celebrate the culture of Olvera Street.