Jemima, a five-year-old dog belonging to Michelle and Bailey, was one of the animals blessed Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Highlands by the Reverend Thomas Mallavarapu, parochial vicar of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish.
Other dogs waited patiently as well, while Father Thomas led the brief prayerful ceremony before blessing each of the animals individually.
Blessing the animals is a Christian tradition dating back to the 13th century when Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order of priests and brothers, reportedly preached the doctrine that the world was created good and beautiful by God but suffers a need for redemption because of human sin.
As a Christian who saw God reflected in nature, Francis was a great lover of all creation. In his Canticle of the Sun, he gives God thanks for Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Water, Fire and Earth, all of which he sees as rendering praise to God.
Francis was born in the 12th century and known as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone.
There are many legends surrounding the tradition of the Blessing of the Animals around October 4, the feast day of St. Francis, all focusing on the saint’s love for all animals and the ecology.
One legend tells of a day when Francis and his friends were walking and came upon a place along the road where birds filled the trees on either side. Francis told his companions to “wait for me while I go to preach to my sisters the birds.”[ The birds surrounded him, and none flew away while he spoke. For this reason, he is often portrayed with a sparrow in his hand.
Another legend tells or a time when Francis learned about a wolf, described as terrifying and ferocious and known for devouring both men and their flocks. Francis sought out the animal in the woods, approached it, made the Sign of the Cross over it, and commanded him not to injure anyone. He then brought the animal back into town and stood in the midst of the startled citizens. He told them to make a pact between themselves and the wolf. All agreed they would feed the wolf regularly; in return, the wolf would no longer prey upon them or their flocks
In 1979, Pope John Paul II declared Francis the patron saint of ecology and later said the saint’s love and care for creation was a challenge for contemporary Catholics and a reminder to assume responsibility for nature, taking care to maintain a healthy balance. and preservation of nature.
In 2015, Pope Francis issued his encyclical Laudato Si’ concerning the ecological crisis and care to protect it, citing St. Francis an example of care for the ecology. This inspired the origin of the Laudato Si’ Movement, a global network of nearly 1000 organizations promoting the Laudato Si’ message and the Franciscan approach to ecology.
Canticle of the Sun
Written by Francis of Assisi in the 13th century, recognized as the oldest work in Italian poetry
Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and You give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which You give Your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them. Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve Him with great humility
