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]

03:41 PM on 10/07/2009

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

[SeeingIs]

10:40 PM on 10/06/2009

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]

05:50 PM on 10/06/2009

Don't forget

"Brother Sun & Sister Moon"

[rivrgrrl]

03:57 PM on 10/06/2009

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]

10:36 PM on 10/06/2009

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]

01:44 PM on 10/14/2009

agree totally,rivrgrrl was also spot on.

[ResidualSelfImage]

02:17 PM on 10/06/2009

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

[SonofLiberty1]

05:49 PM on 10/06/2009

Satire?

[progressivegreg]

01:10 PM on 10/07/2009

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]

03:08 PM on 10/07/2009

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]

12:39 PM on 10/06/2009

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

[10000Lakes]

12:17 PM on 10/06/2009

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]

11:19 AM on 10/06/2009

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]

10:59 AM on 10/06/2009

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]

11:52 AM on 10/06/2009

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

[mamacat]

10:56 AM on 10/06/2009

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]

10:41 AM on 10/06/2009

Now this is a great article. Very sweet.

[Matayo]

10:31 AM on 10/06/2009

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

[rubygreen]

10:17 AM on 10/06/2009

Beautiful pictures! Tears to my eyes.

[BebeLush]

09:47 AM on 10/06/2009

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

[Progressiveama]

10:07 PM on 10/05/2009

Bless the animals, they are wonderful.