Blessing of the Animals

Hundreds of animals were brought to Olvera Street for the annual Blessing of the Animals by Archbishop Jose Gomez. The ceremony dates to the 4th century and is “held in grateful recognition of the tremendous services given to the human race by the animal kingdom,” according to church officials.

Archbishop Blesses Poodles, Parrots, Pit Bulls at Annual Blessing of the Animals

Archbishop Blesses Poodles, Parrots, Pit Bulls at Annual Blessing of the Animals

Blessing of the Animals draws parrots, ferrets and a llama named Rama

Jodeci the parrot rustled her green-tipped wings as they were splashed with holy water, the droplets glistening in the sun. Her owner beamed as she captured the moment on her cellphone..

Amid world’s violence, Christians rejoice and celebrate the resurrection

And now, the celebration.

Following the somber events of the Lenten season and Holy Week commemorating Jesus’ last days on earth — and amid a world caught in violent turmoil — millions of Christians in Southern California will awaken on Sunday to attend joyful sunrise services and to pack bright, sun-drenched churches awash in Easter lilies and liturgical splendor.

Catholics Observe Good Friday

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will celebrate the Good Friday liturgy at noon Friday at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Photos: Good Friday service at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles

Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik leads Good Friday service at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles Friday, April 3, 2015. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

The Archbishop of L.A. Counts the City’s Blessings

Now in his fifth year as the Archbishop of Los Angeles, José Gómez has come to know the city well. (He served as Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas from 2004 – 2010). Despite the traffic (yes, he uses Waze), he says the city has plenty of blessings. In celebration of Easter, we asked him to reflect on five.

L.A. Archbishop to lead Good Friday liturgy

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will celebrate the Good Friday liturgy at noon Thursday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.