Feast of St. Francis 'Blessing of the Animals' Continues Long Tradition

Oct. 4. is the Feast of St.Francis of Assisi, in the Catholic church. He was a gentle, humble man who taught us to love our earth. St. Francis is best known in his role as patron saint of animals. Francis was also a poet. His "Canticle of the Sun" is also called "Brother Sun, Sister Moon." Several Michigan churches celebrated the feast of St. Francis at mass this Sunday with a blessing of pets. The blessing of the pets is one of my earliest and dearest memories as a mother and a Catholic convert.

What is a Blessing of the Pets? St. Francis loved animals of all kinds. It was said that he had a way of interacting and communicating with them so that they were not frightened of him. He is featured with a bird on his shoulder.

On St. Francis's feast day, parishioners and people in the community are invited to bring their furry, feathered or scaly friends. The service is held outdoors. Naturally, it's noisy and a few disagreements break out as the four-legged pilgrims await their blessing. The priest places his hands on the animal's head and says a little prayer asking the pet be kept safe and healty. Sometimes candles are lit or songs are sung.

It's a simple little tradition, but it brings comfort to many. Animals provide so much for people, especially seniors and the handicapped. They guard, guide, comfort and love us. Some offers their coats to keep us warm, their eggs and milk to sustain us and their song to cheer us. For a disabled person, a leader dog can mean the difference between dependance and mobility, insecurity and safety.

The Blessing of the Pets isn't just for Catholics anymore, either. Across the United States and in other countries, Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist and other denominations have taken up this practice. Several metro Detroit churches carry on the pet blessing tradition. Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, in St. Clair Shores, Mich., and Good Hope Lutheran Church in Garden City, Mich., and several other faith communities hosted pet blessing ceremonies today.

All this takes me back, nearly 20 years ago, to when our oldest daughter was in kindergarten at St. Mary's Catholic School in Spring Lake, Mich. I was not Catholic, but I tried to participate in all the church functions with her. She came home from school full of excitement, saying that Fr. Tony was going to "bwess the kitties and doggies." I wasn't familiar with this tradition and what's more I had two little boys at home sick on the day we were supposed to bring our pets to school. I complete forget the event.

Our daughter came home in tears, sure that terrible things would happen to our cat Oliver because he hadn't been blessed. I called Sr. Mary Lou, the principal and explained that I had missed the ceremony. She invited us to bring Oliver to school with Molly and Father would give him his own special blessing. He enjoyed being the center of attention and was duly blessed. Molly and the boys loved bringing their kitty to each child's desk so he could be petted. Oliver lived to a ripe old age.

Doctrinally, there is probably no basis for animals going to heaven. However, I don't think it matters to a little child or single person or family or senior to whom a pet is a best friend. Jesus did say that he would welcome his beloved with the words, "well done, good and faithful servant." I'm not sure if there's a better definition of "faithful" than a pet.