Season's Greetings

Let us trust the Lord…

On October 4, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Francis is one of the most famous and most beloved saints of all time. As a wealthy young man, he found himself praying in a tumble-down church near the outskirts of Assisi. While he was praying, he heard the Lord tell him to “rebuild my church, which you can see is crumbling.” Francis took this quite literally.

He sold a bunch of his wealthy merchant father’s cloth intending to use the money to rebuild the church. His father was furious. Francis returned all the money along with everything his parents had given him – including the clothes off his back! He lived in poverty the rest of his life, valuing generosity and trusting the Lord would provide for his needs. He would go on to found the Franciscan religious order which was (and still is!) marked by it's commitment to charity.

Francis was well known for his great love for the Lord and would preach the gospel to anyone who would listen – even animals! Supposedly birds would flock to him and listen intently to his sermons. In one legend, he brokers peace between a great wolf and the town it terrorizes. Afterward, the wolf followed him around like a big puppy!

Pray

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Sing

Bless

On October 4 (or the nearest Sunday), it is customary for parishioners to bring their animals to church to be blessed. While it may seem silly to bring your dog or goldfish to church, it would seem less silly if that animal were a primary instrument of your livelihood (as people’s horses, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, etc. used to be).

Francis was deeply sensible of God’s care in crafting every part of creation, and on this day we honor his love for God's world and our enjoyment of all the created order by blessing our pets simply because they bring us joy!

If your church does not do a blessing of the pets, feel free to pray over your beloved animals at home:

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.