This weekend there will be several places offering free blessings for your animals as part of an annual Catholic tradition done in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. As part of the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th, every year Catholic churches invite the public to bring their furry or feathered friends by to receive a blessing. "At Franciscan churches, a friar with brown robe and white cord often welcomes each animal with a special prayer," explains the American Catholic. more ›

While the feathers were flying in Pershing Square, just a few miles north, feathers of a different kind were being blessed at Olvera Street. A tradition since 1930, it has to be seen to be believed. The crowd is an interesting mix of religious folk and what looks like extras from a John Waters film. more ›