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St. Francis of Assisi is a 13th century saint, who among other things, is associated with care for Creation. He is said to have preached to the birds and made treaties with wolves. He also composed a prayer dedicated to the glory of the natural world entitled, “Canticle of Creation.” Bringing animals to be blessed is a way of acknowledging that what God has made is good and to thank God for pets or working animals that have improved our lives. The Blessing of the Animals recognizes that many animals were created by God to play a role in human existence. While a Blessing of Animals may be done on any day, it is a long-standing tradition to hold a Blessing of the Animals on October 4th, the official feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Order for the Blessing of Animals allows for some adaptability depending on the circumstances of the place and people involved in the rite. However, the following elements are usually present:
There are many reasons to participate in the Blessing of the Animals as a family! However, here are just two. First, both gratitude and petition are important parts of the Christian life. We should thank God for the many ways we have been blessed in our lives. We also should turn to God with those things we want or need. By participating in the Blessing of the Animals, we are in a particular way thanking Him for the joy and help a particular pet or working animal has brought to our lives, and asking that He watch over them. Second, our faith should infuse every area of our life. As our Family Faith Formation motto—“Uniting the Heart of the Church with the Heart of the Home”—proposes, we should always be looking for ways to make our daily lives holy. Bringing animals to our parish to be blessed is a great way of sanctifying something as seemingly ordinary as a family pet.