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Stray dog becomes constant companion of Mission priest
MISSION (AP) - She goes to Mass every week. She goes to confession. She's been a good Catholic most of her life.
And she's a dog.
She's Magna, the dog of the Rev. Roy Snipes of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Snipes has a faithful companion in Magna, who attends Mass, confession and just about everywhere else with him. Parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe - especially children and winter Texans - can't get enough of Magna, and Magna loves it.
Winter Texans snap her picture and children often pet the 90-pound ranch dog as she comes down the aisle with Snipes and the altar boys as Mass begins. During Mass, she lies down at the side of the altar. Then, as the service ends, she's off down the aisle once again.
Even though Magna has had cancer for four years, it's never stopped her from being a ham. The church's parishioners think she's pretty terrific, too.
''She's cute,'' gushed 9-year-old Celina Garcia.
''It's cool,'' added Laura Gallegos, 14.
Magna not only makes a good ambassador for the parishioners, Snipes said, but a great companion as well.
''She's great-hearted, very faithful,'' he said. ''A dog is a tremendous symbol of fidelity, sometimes more faithful than a human.''
When he was a priest at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Roma, Snipes had a dog named Gunzel that accompanied him everywhere. Gunzel died in 1983.
Snipes remained without a four-legged friend until September, 1985. While outside a shopping center, a brown-haired, brown-eyed dog caught his eye.
''Man, what a beautiful dog,'' Snipes thought.
Noting the dog had no collar, Snipes asked a security officer, who confirmed the young dog, who was about 6- to 8-months old, did not belong to anyone. The priest took the dog with him.
''It turned out to be the beginning of a beautiful partnership,'' he said.
From that day, Magna's life has been steeped in religion - including her name. Snipes thought about naming her after St. Gregario Magno, the pope whose feast day is Sept. 3. When a nun told him that people may be offended, he named her Magna.
Magna usually attends every Mass, except for early morning services.
But Snipes said Magna acts perfectly. ''She's very well behaved,'' Snipes said. ''She's sharp and has a good memory.''
Magna hasn't caused any major stir in church, but there are moments when Snipes worries about her.
Magna goes with Snipes when he listens to confession. Whenever the confession is done behind the screen, Snipes worries parishioners may think he's not paying attention.
''Sometimes she falls asleep and starts snoring,'' he said.
Magna's behavior also can be unpredictable at the St. Francis of Assisi ceremony in October, when the animals are blessed.
''She'll get irritated by the other dogs,'' Snipes said. ''Females get jealous over their territory.''
But the pooch has also proven her bravery.
Last July, senior students were presenting a play about Saint Maria Goretti, who was stabbed to death. In one scene, a man tries to seduce Maria. When she rejects him, the man becomes angry.
As the play was unfolding, Snipes recalled, ''Magna was getting more and more intense.''
When the actor pulled out a knife from his pocket, the dog ran up and knocked the knife out of the actor's hand.
''She changed the story a little bit,'' Snipes said.
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