The Blessing of Pets – Oct 7, 2001 – Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen!

Wonderful are all God's works. Blessed be the name of the Lord.  Now and forever. Amen!

The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the ways of human beings. They have a part in our lives. God, who confers His gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them symbolic reminders of the gifts of salvation. Animals were saved from the flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah. The Paschal Lamb brings to mind the Passover sacrifice and the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt; a giant fish saved Jonah; ravens brought bread to Elijah; animals were included in the repentance enjoined on humans. And animals share in Christ's redemption of all God's creation. St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast we are remembering today, recognized this when he called the animals, wild and tame, his brothers and sisters. Remembering Francis' love for these brothers and sisters of ours, we invoke God's blessing this afternoon on these animals that you have brought to the Church and we thank God for letting us share the earth with all of His creatures. Let us also ask Him that, remembering our human dignity, we may walk always in His law.

Reading of the Word of God: Genesis 1: 20-28

Responsorial Psalm:      O Lord, our God, how wonderful is your name in all the earth!

Reflection: Fr. LaSalle Hallissey, O.P.

A special song and poem for the Feast of Saint Francis!  Thank you, Mrs. Grosserode & Mrs. Hall!

God created us and placed us on this earth to be the stewards of all living things and so to proclaim the glory of their Creator. Let us, then, praise God, saying:

            How wonderful are the works of your hands, O Lord!

Blessed are you, O Lord, who created the animals and gave us the ability to train them to help us in our work and give us companionship at home. Let us bless the Lord. How wonderful are the works....

Blessed are you, O Lord, who gave us food from animals to replenish our energies. Let us bless the Lord. How wonderful are the works....

Blessed are you, O Lord, who for the sake of our comfort give us domestic animals as companions. Let us bless the Lord. How wonderful are the works....

Blessed are you, O Lord, who show us a sign of your providence, as your Son told us, by caring for the birds of the air. Let us bless the Lord. How wonderful are the works....

Blessed are you, O Lord, who offered your Son to us as the Paschal Lamb and in Him willed that we should be called and should truly be your children. How wonderful are the works....

Blessed are you, O Lord, who through your lowliest creatures never cease to draw us toward your love. Let us bless the Lord. How wonderful are the works....

Is there something else that you would like to pray for this afternoon?

Let us gather all of these prayers into one and pray as Jesus taught us.  Our Father....

O Heavenly Father, protect and bless all things that have breath. Guard them from all evil, and let us all sleep in peace and so hear our humble prayers, O God, for our friends the animals, your creatures and our pets. We pray especially for all that are suffering in any way: for the overworked and the underfed, the lost, and the hungry. We pray for all the animals in zoos and for the animals in the shelters. May they find loving homes. We pray for all veterinarians. May they provide good medical care for our pets. We pray for all pet owners, that they may be responsible owners and not allow their pets to harm or damage other people or their property. We pray for the people of our community that have been injured by animals. Please Lord, restore them to health. For all of us, O Lord, we ask a heart of compassion, gentle hands, and kindly words. Make us true friends to animals like Saint Francis and worthy followers of our Brother Jesus. We ask this in His name, Christ our Lord. Amen!

(At this time all of the animals and their human friends will be blessed with Holy Water.)

May God, who created the animals of this earth as a help to us, continue to protect and sustain us with the grace His blessing brings, now and forever.  Amen!

May the peace and blessing of almighty God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you forever.  Amen!

Go in peace!  Thanks be to God!