On Sunday, Oct. 2, churches around the world will celebrate something that St. Francis of Assisi started almost 800 years ago: blessing our animals. It was Francis who first introduced the idea that human beings are only one of a myriad of creations of God and all are blessed in God's "eyes." The feast day of St. Francis (the day that he died) is celebrated every year on October 4, and blessing of the animal services are usually scheduled for the Sunday closest to that day.
Whether you realize it or not, you probably know something about St. Francis. He is the most popular Catholic saint in the world. He is the one who preached to the birds; blessed fish that had been caught, releasing them back into the water; communicated with wolves, brokering an agreement between one famous ferocious wolf and the citizens of a town that were terrified of it and used real animals when he created the very first, live, Christmas nativity scene. As a result of these, Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment.
The first blessing of the animals happened like this: One warm afternoon early in his ministry (sometime between 1210-15), Francis wandered outside of Assisi, full of self-doubt, asking God if perhaps everything he had done until that point had been for the wrong reasons. Francis wondered if he should have simply gotten married and raised a family as his father wanted him to do. It was while he was praying alone to God that Francis glimpsed some birds along the path. He paused and began to speak to them as if to equals. Soon, he began to "preach" to them about God's glories and all the reasons why both humans and birds should be grateful. That day marks the beginning of the environmental movement, the beginning of the era when we begin to understand ourselves as intrinsically connected to all of creation.
He exhibited a sensitivity to the living and organic things around him that sets him apart from other people of his day and the saints who came before him. He even cared for the inanimate objects of creation with a sensitivity that is similar to Buddhist teachings about kindness toward all sentient beings. One of the most beautiful paragraphs of "The Golden Legend" by Jacobus of Voragine (a late medieval text about the lives of the saints) explains:
The saint would not handle lanterns and candles because he did not want to dim their brightness with his hands. He walked reverently on stones out of respect for him who was called Peter, which means stone. He lifted worms from the road for fear they might be trampled underfoot by passersby. Bees might perish in the cold of winter, so he had honey and fine wines set out for them. He called all animals brothers and sisters. When he looked at the sun, the moon, and the stars, he was filled with inexpressible joy by his love of the Creator and invited them all to love their Creator.
Many synagogues now have their own blessing of the animals ceremonies, and, they say, the idea originated in ancient Judaism. Without reference to Francis of Assisi (but occasionally, with a passing reference to him), the Jewish ceremony is often performed on the seventh day of Passover (in the spring) as a celebration of the Hebrews' (and their animals') emancipation from slavery in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. Why not exult in the freedom of all creatures from bondage, and not just the humans? Such an occasion reminds humans to care for their pets as if they are more like companions than slaves.
Also, at this time of year, many Jewish congregations schedule blessings of the animals after the High Holy Days, centering their ceremonies around the second weekly Torah portion of the Jewish Year cycle: Parashat Noach, the portion about Noah and the ark. Way back then, God promised never to destroy the earth again -- and both humans and animals were understandably joyful. On this occasion, animals are blessed as creatures, reminding humans how we share that essential quality with our pets. This October 28-29, the story of Noah will be read in synagogues around the U.S. for Shabbat Noach -- and more synagogues than ever before will include an animal blessing in their services that would make a Franciscan feel at home.
I happened to be at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah in Greenwich Village a few years ago on Shabbat Noach. They had a special blessing for animals (mostly dogs) that day--something that they do every year. People and pets crowded the aisles and everyone who had a companion with fur in their lives received a ribbon attachable to a collar. It wasn't quite the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, but it was terrific nonetheless.
In both the Christian ceremony performed in early October and in Jewish ceremonies later in the month, the message to those of us with animal companions is the same: take care of them as you would take care of yourself. Show gratitude; they are gifts from God.
Jon M. Sweeney is the author of "The St. Francis Prayer Book" and "Light in the Dark Ages: The Friendship of Francis and Clare of Assisi."
Follow Jon M. Sweeney on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonmsweeney
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Prayers and Blessings For Pets and Animals
The saint seems like a good-hearted charactor, but I got to admit that in reading the description of Francis putting out honey and wine for the bees and having long discussions with animals I couldn't for the life of me get the image of Steinbeck's Lenny out of my head.
In the 25 years we've lived here, there are very few cats we've met that we didn't take in, have spayed or neutered, gotten immunizations and cared for until their natural or untimely death due to disease or accident. Each has been a tearful departure for us.
Just wish the people who throw them away could feel theirs and our pain, and could also understand and feel the unqualified love that cats give (independent and ornery as they can be, of course), but lovable just the same.
Kudos and cheers to you and yours.
I was raised a Christian but left organized religion a long time ago. I've always believed animals have souls. I'm not the only one, either.
If we could ever truly embody this prayer, what would the world be? A spinning globe of such love and such beauty. We'd see a lion wasn't cruel for killing a zebra. We'd see that a zebra stallion driving off the young bachelor males from the safety of the herd wasn't being heartless. We'd have no need to hack each other off at the knees with bombs, guns, or words.
Once upon a time, I saved a puppy who'd been in dire straits. My aunt, whom I was staying with at the time, was perplexed, almost enraged. Why don't you spend your money on the starving children of the world? she asked, her voice full of scorn.
Because the starving children of the world, though important, have voices speaking out for them, I said. But at this moment, this puppy doesn't. At this moment, this puppy will die if no body helps her. And besides, I added, St. Francis (whom I share part of my name, Francis-Xavier, with) would have broken his heart open for this particular little creature so helpless in my arms.
Last year, my beloved little pom "Lucky" passed away on the Feast of St. Francis, Oct. 4th. I found comfort in knowing that St. Francis was surely there to accompany my little one's spirit back home where he was met by all of my beloved pets.
In Spain, in years past, one's Saint's day was celebrated as if it were your birthday. It's not done so much anymore, but in my family, we still send well-wishes to those whose names are the same as that of one of the saints. So, in my family, three people (Francisco, Francisca, Francisco) received greetings as well. St. Francis has much significance for me.
I understand what you mean but this tradition or custom that perhaps other religions are also practicing seems silly to me. This custom that Francis of Assisi made up - blessing the animals to me is foolish and I love animals. You see, I stick to the biblical teachings and not man-made traditions. God blessed the man and woman, told them to be fruitful and become many and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). He did not say that blessing to the animals. The animals where created for man and not the other way around. Francis of Assisi preached to animals - now tell me what can the animals comprehend about God's kingdom? Jesus came to preach to men not animals.
You know what I mean?
Animals shouldn't be forced into one particular religion. We should let them choose what faith they wish to follow rather than making this decision for them. If they are as intelligent and loving as people say they are, surely this is a decision they can make for themselves.
Me-- I'm an atheist but I'm open minded enough to know that to my dog I am the Alpha and the Omega until my husband sneaks him more tasty treats.
F&F
The critters in and around our house include two cats, two birds, a bunch of fish and a family of raccoons that live in our woods and like to mooch at the back door. (I buy dog food in fifty pound bags. I do not have a dog.)
Hopefully, those animals lives are a bit longer and a bit happier because we help them. I know that my life is happier and probably even a bit longer because they help me.
Sounds like blessings all around.
But it was both interesting and a bit amusing to see the difference in reaction between the various pets. Dogs, with their people in tow, all over the place, sniffing and greeting each other, and occasionally issuing challenges, but generally having what appeared to be a pretty good doggy time.
Cats, not happy at all. Preferring to be somewhere, anywhere else. Announcing to the world that they were not happy and would find some appropriate way of showing their displeasure upon returning home.
Hide the stereo headphones folks.
http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/fat-freddys-cat.html
You provide a perfect description of cats. No idea is a good one unless they think of it first. Just as there is a "not invented here" syndrome in some organizations, there is a "not thought of here" syndrome in cats.
"Dogs have owners. Cats have servants."