October 4th, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

All right, dear DUers, pack Fluffy and Fido into the car and take them out to be blessed. If you are an Episcopalian or Catholic, it's likely you will find some priest doing the honors of blessing the animals today.

But that's not the whole story of Saint Francis, to say the least. See these links for more on this beloved saint:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Francis/

http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/fj100300.asp

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf01.htm

And here's a prayer I hadn't seen before. I know the Canticle of the Sun and of course the Peace Prayer (I'm decidedly unpeaceful today, alas :-(). Here's one for the beasts:

Prayer For Animals

God Our Heavenly Father, You created the world to serve humanity's needs and to lead them to You. By our own fault we have lost the beautiful relationship which we once had with all your creation. Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You we will also restore it with all Your creation. Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You and to treat them with respect for they are Your creation. We pray for all animals who are suffering as a result of our neglect. May the order You originally established be once again restored to the whole world through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary, the prayers of St. Francis and the merits of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with You now and forever. Amen.

Saint Francis of Assisi

I just got out of LBN and need the spirtual refreshment.

http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/stfrancis.htm

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

I feel very strongly about the fact that we're destroying the
habitat of so many animals and birds.

Francis has always been my favorite saint. One of my given names
is Frances, so I took St Clare as my patron as she was the woman
closest to him.

A reminder: October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Will anyone be attending a transitus? How abour the blessing of the animals?

If you want to say a prayer to bless your ferret, kitten, or pug, here's a suggestion.

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/blessing.asp

“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

And brace yourself for this site:

http://www.franciscanfriarstor.com/stfrancis/stf_blessingofanimals.htm

Saint Francis, pray for us.

What's not to love about St. Francis?