St. Francis ministers to the animals
If you’ve been to our clinic, you may have noticed the picture (above) of St. Francis. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment, according to the Catholic faith. Many churches around the U.S. emulate St. Francis’s love for animals by organizing pet blessings in October. Two such churches in our area are Christ the King Catholic Church in Norfolk and Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth.
Now, I realize it’s a bit early yet to announce the local pet blessing events, but as I was searching for a “happy” topic (as promised), I thought how nice it would be to have a special little blessing at the ready for our pets in the privacy of our homes. And then I raised my eyes heavenward and caught sight of St. Francis hovering in the air above my desk. [In all fairness – and so you don’t call the men in white coats on me – St. Francis is actually in a frame, which is hanging by a chain looped around a nail.]
I’m willing to bet St. Francis was most at peace when ministering to the animals. Oddly enough, he did not win the title of patron saint of veterinarians – that honor instead goes to St. Blaise. By now, all the non-Catholics reading this have no idea who I’m talking about and would rather I get on with the business of blessings. So here it is…
I discovered a website called AnimalChaplains.com (http://animalchaplains.com/BlessingsforAnimalsandCaregivers.html) and I hope they won’t mind my borrowing three of my favorite prayers found on their site and attributed to others.
Dear Father, hear and bless Thy beasts and singing birds; and guard with tenderness small things that have no words. – Author Unknown
A Blessing for Animals
Blessed are You, Lord God, for all living creatures You have made.
You keep them in Your care and not one of them is lost without You knowing.
They glorify You, each in its own way, and speak to us of Your beauty and love.
Bless them and keep them from harm. They unquestionably accept their place in the rhythm of Your creation.
May we respect them and cherish them for they are Your gift to us; through them may we come to know You better and praise You, their Creator.
Blessed be the love and joy that they bring to us.
Amen.
~ From www.MyCherishedPet.com
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