NYC’s catholic raccoon? ‘Devout’ critter marches into Greenwich Village church during special mass
A salvation-seeking raccoon attempted to attend a special mass at a trendy Catholic Church in Greenwich Village.
A salvation-seeking raccoon attempted to attend a special mass at a Catholic Church in Greenwich Village.
The varmint heard the calling at St. Joseph’s Church on Sept. 25, calmly walking up the candlelit steps and through the front doors of the gorgeous place of worship on Sixth Avenue and Washington Place, video released by the church shows.
As he passes through the door, the masked bandit sniffs around the foyer, presumably for some food, but was quickly spotted by the Father Jonah Teller, the footage shows.
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The quick-footed pastor closed in on the raccoon, cutting off its path and directing it out the door.
It then scampered down the candlelit steps and up 6th Avenue, shocking passersby — “I’ve never seen one of those in the city before!” shouted one.
The critter could have been drawn by the entrancing candle light of the “Night Fire” mass, which the 1833-constructed church holds four times a year.
The visitation came just a week before the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is commemorated with the Blessing of the Animals.
“I don’t know if his spirit is walking in behind the raccoon, but its a great reminder of St. Francis and of God,” Father Jonah Teller, pastor of the church, told The Post, adding that he hopes the critter does not return.