Earth's Sacred Wonders

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Narrator

The procession animals and their handlers are arriving. (upbeat music) Every year, the local animal sanctuary loans them to Patty for the day to help the cathedral with fundraising. Anyone who wants to lead one of these exotic animals up the aisle or bring a pet can make a donation. The money raised funds work in the community and helps with the upkeep of the cathedral- (cow mooing) But many of the animals require careful handling. Ho, boa, boa, boa! Yeah. All right, behind sheep, and then, boa, stay there. It's wonderful to see the cathedral full for our St. Francis Day celebration, and it is a mixture of domestic animals this- -

Narrator

11

00 a.m. The bishop of New York begins the service. (upbeat music) Patty has just 45 minutes left to get all the animals lined up and ready to move out on cue. Your mama duck with the baby ducks? Yes. -

Narrator

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Patty's arc is taking shape. Oscar's gonna go first- -

Woman

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OK. Up the ramp and down the aisle, followed by camel. -

Narrator

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But all the animals need to be lined up in a very particular order for the procession. We don't want the birds of prey behind the baby ducklings. No. (wings flapping) -

Narrator

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If predator species are placed next to potential prey, they could attack, and large animals might kick smaller animals behind them. All right, Dianne, let's head down. -

Man

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How grateful I am- -

Narrator

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The service is now well underway. -

Man

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As a family, a diocese. -

Narrator

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With only 30 minutes left to go, one of Patty's animal handlers has fainted. (crowd chattering) -

Woman

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Yeah, good now, OK. So, we're calling 911. We're letting security know. -

Narrator

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But the show must go on. All right, everybody, line up. If you've got animals, come with me. -

Man

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I ask the congregation to be seated. -

Narrator

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Finally, it's time to go. -

Patty

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Open the doors, open the doors. -

Man

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As the procession of animals is beginning now. (religious music) -

Patty

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I lose sleep over whether or not the animals will actually make it all the way down the main aisle of the cathedral.