The St. Francis Blessing Of The Animals (PHOTOS)

At this time every year, people bring their animals along with them to church to get blessed by Catholic priests. This ceremony commemorates St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, who was born on October 4. He is known for showing compassion towards all living things; he may have even preached to birds! Check out these photos of animals getting blessed from years' past and vote for which one you think is truly a blessing.

Siberian Tiger In Paris, France

A Siberian male tiger at the American Cathedral in Paris.

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Comments

[MissElaineous]

That tiger should be with his mom, regardless of whether they live in a zoo or not.

[SeeingIs]

Quibble: Except for S America and Phillipines, the other churches pictured in Paris and New York were Episcopalian (Anglican). I think St Francis is a pretty ecumenical figure.

[SonofLiberty1]

Don't forget

"Brother Sun & Sister Moon"

[rivrgrrl]

Yeah, sure.

After centuries of the church preaching that animals are lowly creatures that were created for us to have dominion over, to use and abuse as we see fit, now they want to bless the animals.

More harm is done to animals the world over because people of organized religion promote the 'humans are superior' concept (Wiccans, Deists and Nature based religions exempted).

But they can feel good about it because they do give the animals one day of blessing.

Here's an idea, go to the stockyards, factory farms, high kill animal shelters and slaughterhouses and bless those animals.

[cucumber]

that's a very good point.

I also think a tiger should be running free in her natural habitat, not chained and caged for life for human pleasure.

And eagles should be flying free.

They're not toys.

[iworshipthedoggod]

agree totally,rivrgrrl was also spot on.

[ResidualSelfImage]

They have a blessing of the bikes in NH.
The Catholic Priest has the Hells Angels swear allegiance to the Pope.

[SonofLiberty1]

Satire?

[progressivegreg]

They really do have a "blessing of the bikes" in a little town called Baldwin, Michigan. It's a huge draw here in the midwest. On the subject of St. Francis of Assisi, check out micassoart.com, Mic Carlson has been doing bronze sculpture of St. Francis for years, and it's great!

[SonofLiberty1]

Didn't know that but I do know of the blessing of the animals.

Brother Sun & Sister Moon as we are brothers and sisters in God's creation.

[Matayo]

HuffPo- Please change the title and caption for the second photo to reflect accurate species identification! That is an African Fish Eagle :-)

[10000Lakes]

Ok, now that they've all been blessed, everyone can get back to the business of torturing them, caging them, experimenting on them, and eating them. If there really is a life after death, Catholics and Bible Thumpers of all persuasions will have a lot of 'splainin' to do.

[JoannDavis]

Those interested in St. Francis and his prayer of peace might want to take note of THE BOOK OF THE SHEPHERD: The Story of One Simple Prayer, and How It Changed the World, coming out on October 27.

[alpinist]

Having compassion for the animals should involve more than one day of a religious blessing. It should be a lifestyle change that ensures they do not suffer needlessly. Therefore, one should not use them for food, clothing, experimentation, or entertainment. Easy stuff.

[BebeLush]

Agreed! Compassion for our fellow animals is the way to go!

[mamacat]

The first sentence says that animals get blessed by Catholic priests, but the picture is of a woman priest blessing an animal. Last time I checked, the Catholic church was still living in the dark ages, vis-a-vis women's rights.

A local church, not Catholic, also partook in this tradition. It was very nice. It is interesting for me to watch normally anti-social types bring in their pets and show so much affection for them. Not criticising, just observing.

[ChaiKat]

Now this is a great article. Very sweet.

[Matayo]

The second photo is not of a Bald Eagle, it is an African Fish Eagle.

[rubygreen]

Beautiful pictures! Tears to my eyes.

[BebeLush]

Beautiful photos! My heart has been warmed for the day.

[Progressiveama]

Bless the animals, they are wonderful.