October 4 is the date set aside by many churches to honor St.
Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved figures in Christian
history. The patron of animals and ecology, he also founded the
Franciscan Order which established the chain of missions so
important in California history.
October 4 is the date set aside by many churches to honor St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved figures in Christian history. The patron of animals and ecology, he also founded the Franciscan Order which established the chain of missions so important in California history.
Born to a prosperous family of Italian cloth merchants in 1182, Francis spent his youth in partying and unsuccessful attempts at military glory. While fighting in a war against the neighboring Italian town of Perugia, he was captured and spent a year in prison before being ransomed by his family.
Later he became consumed by a search for God. While praying in a decrepit ancient church he heard God say to him, “Francis, repair my church.” Francis took cloth from his father’s shop to raise money to repair the church. He and his father renounced each other over this action, and Francis began a new stage of life owning nothing and seeking to serve God and the poor.
Though he was never ordained a priest, Francis nevertheless began wandering the countryside preaching about returning to God and obeying the Church. He slowly gathered companions who joined him in his barefoot ministry, founding the Order of Friars Minor in 1210.
Many legends tell of his love of nature. Francis preached to hundreds of birds about being grateful to God for their “clothes” and independence. The birds stayed to listen until he dismissed them at the end of his sermon. He also intervened when residents of a village wanted to kill a wolf who had eaten a villager. The wolf became a pet of the townspeople.
During the Fifth Crusade Francis traveled to Syria and tried to make peace with the Sultan. When he returned to Italy, the number of his followers had grown to 5,000, but church leaders put others in charge of the Franciscan Order. Weakened from years of poverty and traveling, his health failed. He became blind and died in 1226.
No one seems to know just when or how the custom of blessing animals on St. Francis’ feast day began, but it will be celebrated locally next week. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.
Inviting local residents to the Blessing of the Animals at St. John’s, Father Philip Cooke explains: “We will acknowledge the special gift of harmony that St. Francis had with nature, especially our animal friends, and as we present our animals for blessing, we will also be making a vow to God to be faithful in our stewardship role that we have toward animals and the beautiful earth that God has given to us, emphasizing our responsibility to leave this earth beautiful for those who come after us.”
