“So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1:21
Sunday, October 1, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The connection between Francis and animals is well known by most of us. Many have heard the lovely story of St. Francis preaching to the birds in the air (who he said paid better attention than most people). For others, the story of Francis taming the wolf is dear to them as they reflect on his love for all creatures. It is said that he and his friars allowed a donkey to take their place in a small hovel they were using as shelter! To honor St. Francis and to remind ourselves of our roles as guardians of the earth and all living creatures, Father or Deacon will be Blessing the Animals this Sunday the 1st at 1:30pm!
Bring your pets—big and small—to the side yard of the church (near St. Francis’ statue). There, they will receive a blessing along with a sprinkling of holy water! We will thank God for allowing us to share the earth with all creatures. What a beautiful way to acknowledge the beauty of God’s creatures and the part they play in our lives.
To keep things peaceful, all animals must be on a leashed or in a cage properly secured. Thank you!
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
The Blessing of Pets