Magna
Mix
Inducted October 1997
Owned by Father Roy Snipes
Nominated by Dr. David Heflin
When Father Roy Snipes arrived in Mission, Texas in 1992, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church was struggling. Attendance was down and, to Snipes, services sometimes seemed too sterile. That’s when Magna, Snipes’s faithful dog, began attending Mass services.
At first some older church members objected to a dog’s presence in a worship service. But, despite the objections, she continued to attend—and so did many other people who welcomed her friendly nature and wagging tail. Attendance is now excellent and many visitors take photographs as Magna leads the procession in and out of church during each Mass service.
Snipes greatly appreciates Magna’s contributions. As he puts it, Magna brings in the attendees, and it’s up to him to keep them there.
“Religion can get so formal and stuffy, and Magna helps us break out of that,” Snipes says. “One lady told me, ‘I always felt uneasy bringing my babies to church, but when I saw Magna, I said if Father Roy can bring his dog, I can bring my babies.’”
Magna makes her presence felt in the community in many ways. Whether it is participating in a wedding, complete with her own formal outfit, or joining Snipes on a visit to a school or nursing home, Magna has a remarkable ability to make friends and put smiles on the faces of those she meets.
