St. Francis was passionately devoted to God. His every action was motivated by his love for God. He adopted a simple lifestyle. Because all his trust was in God, and not in possessions. He believed every man and women was his brother and sister. It was easy for him to embrace a love of nature and for all God`s creatures – because he understood everything was created by God and thus everything is good.
In honoring St. Francis, on Saturday, October 6,2012, St. Francis Church set aside a day for the blessing of animals and invited and welcomed all to enter the Church for a special service and a blessing for each creature. Like St. Francis, we try to be humble and believe every action is performed not to bring glory to our services, but to God.
Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked,
underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity
that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted
or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful. – Albert Schweitzer
