As autumn arrives, people in various places may notice something odd. A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets. This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.

The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing.

This week, the Franciscan Friars will be organizing several activities at St Anthony's Church related with Saint Francis including the blessing of the animals.
 

Click Here to download the programme activities
 

The Life of St Francis of Assisi

Francis was born 1182, of a merchant family. As a young man in his Italian hometown of Assisi, he loved parties, friends and good times. He was handsome and rich, bought himself the finest clothes and spent money freely. He had no desire to study or to learn his father's business. He wanted more than wealth. His dream was to become a noble, a knight. Battle was the best place to win the glory and prestige he longed for. After engaging in warfare between Assisi and Perugia, Francis underwent a time of imprisonment and then a long period of illness. It was during this period that the young Francis started to reflect on the true value and meaning of life. He realized that he was wasting precious time. So, he gave up his previous, rich, easy life and sought to spend most of his time in recollection and prayer, asking God earnestly to enlighten his heart about what he should do.

He battled hard against his instincts, fasted and began to go around in rags to humble himself. Furthermore, he who loved beauty, who was so picky about food, who hated deformity and the mere smell of lepers, succeeded, one day, in kissing a horrible-looking leper, while giving him money. His search for conversion led him to the ancient church at San Damiano where the Crucified Christ spoke to him, saying, "Francis, go and repair my Church, which is falling into ruins." And this is what he sought to do throughout his life, not by attacking the Church (who was in urgent need of reform) and the clergy from outside as many reformers tried to do at that time (e.g. Cathari), but by seeking personal renewal which in turn would stand as a shining model for the whole Church. Thus, renouncing all that he previously had and owned, he set out to live the Holy Gospel to the core. From then on, Francis had nothing … and everything!

Francis said that he was married to "Lady Poverty" and he began to live as a beggar. He had no shelter. His food was what kind people gave him. Everywhere he went, he urged people to stop sinning and return to God. Soon many men began to realize how close to God this poor man was, and they became his disciples. They helped the poor and sick and preached everywhere. That is how the Franciscan Order of brothers began. Francis’ ideal inspired also a noble lady, Clare, who later founded an Order of Cloistered Nuns, commonly known as the Poor Clares. Even a number of lay people showed a desire to follow the Franciscan way, which eventually led Francis to establish the Secular Franciscan Order.

Even after the Order had spread all over Italy, Francis insisted that they should not own anything. He wanted the friars to love poverty as he did. St. Francis had a great devotion for Jesus in his Word and in the Eucharist. He revered priests for their noble ministry of bringing Christ on the altar. He not only sought communion with all people but also with the whole of creation calling all creatures brothers and sisters. Towards the end of his life, Jesus showed Francis that he wanted him to be united with Him not only in His mission but also in His suffering. Indeed, on Mount La Verna, Francis received the wounds of Christ in his hands and feet, which he carried for two years until his death on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44. His final words to his brothers are striking – urging them to love God, to love being poor, and to obey the Gospel, he confessed: "I have done my part, may Jesus teach you to do yours."