CHARLOTTE — Pet parents of the furry, hooved, feathery and scaly are invited to bring their beloved animals to receive a special blessing at parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte in early October.
The annual Blessing of the Animals will honor the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. Pet owners know the special role their animals play in their lives as a source of unconditional love and stress relief, and pet blessings are a chance to share the love of God with these special creatures.
Some events already scheduled include:
- St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Noon Saturday, Sept. 28, in the Pet Memorial Garden.
- Sacred Heart Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury. 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4.
- St. Aloysius Church, 921 2nd Street N.E., Hickory. Blessing of the Animals after the 12:10 p.m. Mass on Friday, Oct. 4, at the main entrance.
- St. Frances of Rome Mission, 29 Highland Dr., Sparta. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.
- St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the courtyard.
- St. Francis of Assisi Church, 328-B Woodsway Lane N.W., Lenoir. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, outside the church main doors.
- St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the courtyard.
- St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Saturday, Oct. 5, after the 9 a.m. Mass.
- St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Marian grotto.
- St. Peter Church, 507 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the church garden.
- St. Francis of Assisi Church, 167 St. Francis Place, Jefferson. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
— Catholic News Herald
Why is St. Francis patron of animals?
Francis was born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy, in 1181. At 21, he went off to war in northern Italy. He returned a changed man and devoted his life to God, saying he was called to live a life of poverty and work to revitalize the Church.
Francis became an itinerant preacher whose words were heard by thousands. He eventually founded the Franciscan religious order. Throughout his life, he was known for having an affinity for animals, with stories told of birds and other creatures surrounding him as he traveled.
Francis is said to have started the custom of blessing animals between 1210 and 1215, and to have started the first outdoor Nativity scene featuring live animals in 1223.
Francis frequently preached on God’s love for all His creatures and the need to show respect and love to all. St. Francis of Assisi died, presumably from a bacterial infection, on Oct. 3, 1226, at 44. He was canonized on July 16, 1228, by Pope Gregory IX.