Celebrating St. Francis, the gentle patron of animals and all God’s creation

St. Francis of Assisi!

Sam in a St. Francis costume.

If you are lucky, there will be a parish near you that has a blessing of the pets, go! Our beloved Deacon Terry blessed the animals every year when my kids were small. It was always a big hit with everyone and there were so many pets!

I remember the blessing Deacon Terry said. It had beautiful words about how God has given us the animals. They bless our lives.

Noah holding our dog Sophie, while the good Deacon blesses her! It must have been a good blessing too, because she lived until the spring of this year and gently passed away at home at the ripe old age of 17!

The last few years, and certainly since our deacon passed away, our church doesn’t offer that blessing anymore. Instead, we have been doing our own blessing with Holy Water from Church and this prayer from Catholic Online. 

Lord God King of heaven and earth, Thou the Word of the Father by whom all creatures were given us for our support: look down, we beseech Thee, on our lowliness. As Thou hast given us these animals to assist us in our labors and needs so mayest Thou in Thy great goodness and mercy bless them from above, guard and preserve them; and, while Thou givest Thy servants temporal benefits, mayest Thou grant us thy continual grace so that we may praise Thy holy name with thanksgiving. 


Translated by Most Reverend J. H. Schlarman Bishop of Peoria

and bless our Kitty too!