Dozens of four-legged creatures, great and small, waited patiently with wagging tails for their blessing from new Australian Catholic University Banyo campus chaplain Capuchin Father Luan Le, The Catholic Leader reports.

The annual animal blessing has become a staple in the campus calendar in recent years.

***Capuchin Father Luan Le blesses some goats during the annual Blessing of the Animals at ACU’s Banyo Campus in Brisbane. PHOTO: Joe Higgins/Catholic Leader.***

This year was no different – the sun was shining and students going between classes were greeted by a strong turnout from the campus’ dog-owning population (not a cat in sight) as well as a petting zoo full of fluffy goats, ducks, bantams and more.

It was Fr Le’s first animal blessing, which had previously run under his predecessor Franciscan Father Harry Chan for many years.

He was right at home picking up goats and walking unruly canines.

During the liturgy, he said how relationships between humans and their pets can reflect the love of God.

It was a sentiment shared by Justin Royes, who had brought his dog Willow to seven animal blessings.

Two years ago, she contracted cancer and received a final blessing from Fr Chan before she died.

Her ashes were scattered on the campus.

A dog displays perfect sitting manners while being blessed by Fr Le.

Mr Royes said the animal blessing captured a lot of the essence of the campus spirit.

“It’s just that real sense of community,” Mr Royes said.

Acting campus dean Suzanne Kuys said the animal blessing liturgy was specially included in the 20-year anniversary celebrations of the Banyo Campus running this week.

She said the campus had undergone lots of positive changes over the years and was excited to see where it would lead.

“This is a very community-based campus… the people here work together and connect together really well and it’s those relationships that keep us going,” she said.

Incoming campus dean Susan Dann said one of the great benefits of the Banyo campus was its history – as a university, a seminary, a base in the war and its spiritual significance to First Nations people.

“It’s steeped in history and we’re just continuing on that long tradition of this being a place of spirituality,” she said.

She said the animal blessing was great because it brings people together.

“Again it ties to the history of the institution, given the role Franciscans have played on the campus,” she said.

This article by Joe Higgins was published in The Catholic Leader.