Spain - January 2023 - On Jan. 17, the feast of St. Anthony Abbot, many Salesian houses took the opportunity to dedicate the day to the blessing of animals, remembering the figure of the patron saint of farmers and protector of animals. Masses, processions, bonfires, and blessings were held in Salesian houses in Alicante, Valencia "San Antonio Abad," Huelva, Ibi, and Villena. For their part, the houses in Jerez-Lora Tamayo and Huelva celebrated the feast on Jan. 20. In Valencia's Salesian work "San Antonio Abad," students had no classes to facilitate participation in the feast. The solemn Eucharist was presided over by the director of the Salesian presence, Fr Santiago Muñoz, and concelebrated by the Salesians, Fr Josep Lluís Burguera, and Fr Francisco Córcoles. This was followed by the traditional blessing of animals attended by numerous people with their pets, in the presence of civil and military authorities. In Ibi, where a food collection campaign is underway, families arrived at the Salesian house with their pets to have them blessed on the afternoon of the 17th. The Carabela youth center, on the other hand, organized the celebration in Huelva; while in Alicante the blessing of the animals took place in the Salesian temple on January 15. Finally, by the Salesians in Jerez, in addition to the blessing, a special "Got Talent" contest was planned to showcase the skills of pets.