Annula St. Francis Pet Blessing at the Central Dog Park

Bring your pet for the annual Pet Blessing and commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi. There will be present to lead in a short devotion to God with thanks, prayer and blessing over each precious companion. Many friends and neighbors of Central Dog Park will be present to pause and thank their creator for the sacrificial love and companionship by which they grace our lives. Last year animals present were dogs, cats, and birds. Remarkably everyone got along! (with the aid of cages, leashes, and common sense.) In addition, there will also be an unveiling of a new statue of St. Francis placed in the garden area of the Dog park.

Click here for more details of the Oct. 7, 2007 Pet Blessing.

Francis of Assisi, lived in the 12th century A.D. Historical records, and various anecdotes remark at the complete humility, poverty, and service he gave to his Lord in attempting to improve this world and follow Jesus in every literal manner. Known for his many positive contributions to humanity, St. Francis is also widely recognized as the Patron Saint of animals, who often addressed them as “brothers” and “sisters”. He supposedly had an uncanny ability to communicate with and put animals at ease.

Though not the focus of his ministry, his ability to relate and give respect for all of God’s little creatures has spurred imaginations for centuries. Some insight as to “why,” can be found in the 14th century book, Little Flowers, which gives many details and lore surrounding St. Francis’ life. One episode found in the 16th chapter relates the “Sermon to the Birds”.* This passage is one of the contributing factors to a majority of garden statues and paintings displaying him with birds. Historians have also surmised that most depictions of his dialogue with and attraction from common birds also represents his love and service to the poor and lowly people of the European Middle Ages.

Giotto, Preaching to the Birds. 1295-1300. Fresco. St. Francis, Upper Church, Assisi, Italy.

*They soon arrived at a town called Savurniano, where St Francis began to preach, first ordering the swallows, who were calling, to keep silence until he had finished; and the swallows obeyed his voice. He preached with such fervor, that the inhabitants of the town wished to follow him out of devotion; but St Francis would not allow them, saying: “Be not in such haste, and leave not your homes. I will tell you what you must do to save your souls.” Thereupon he founded the Third Order for the salvation of all; and leaving them much consoled and well disposed to do penance, he departed thence, and reached a spot between Cannaio and Bevagno. And as he went on his way, with great fervor, St Francis lifted up his eyes, and saw on some trees by the wayside a great multitude of birds; and being much surprised, he said to his companions, “Wait for me here by the way, whilst I go and preach to my little sisters the birds”; and entering into the field, he began to preach to the birds which were on the ground, and suddenly all those also on the trees came round him, and all listened while St Francis preached to them, and did not fly away until he had given them his blessing. And Brother Masseo related afterwards to Brother James of Massa how St Francis went among them and even touched them with his garments, and how none of them moved. Now the substance of the sermon was this: “My little sisters the birds, ye owe much to God, your Creator, and ye ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though ye neither spin nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with Noah that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you, though ye neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having thus favored you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God.” As he said these words, all the birds began to open their beaks, to stretch their necks, to spread their wings and reverently to bow their heads to the ground, endeavoring by their motions and by their songs to manifest their joy to St Francis. And the saint rejoiced with them. He wondered to see such a multitude of birds, and was charmed with their beautiful variety, with their attention and familiarity, for all which he devoutly gave thanks to the Creator. Having finished his sermon, St Francis made the sign of the cross, and gave them leave to fly away. Then all those birds rose up into the air, singing most sweetly; and, following the sign of the cross, which St Francis had made, they divided themselves into four companies. One company flew towards the east, another towards the west, one towards the south, and one towards the north; each company as it went singing most wonderfully; signifying thereby, that as St Francis, the bearer of the Cross of Christ, had preached to them and made upon them the sign of the cross, after which they had divided among themselves the four parts of the world, so the preaching of the Cross of Christ, renewed by St Francis, would be carried by him and by his brethren over all the world, and that the humble friars, like little birds, should posses nothing in this world, but should cast all the care of their lives on the providence of God. (from “ Fioretti di Santo Francesco d’ Ascesi”, Little Flowers, ch. XVI, public domain, translation by Dom Roger Hudleston)