The Blessing of Animals

Bring Your Beloved Pet to St. Helena for the Blessing of Animals that will take place in the St. Helena, 1315 Olmstead Ave., Bx , parish parking lot on Friday, October 4, the actual Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, from 2:00-4:00PM or on Sunday, October 6 from 2:30-4:30PM. This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all God's creatures. Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, once allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey. St Francis believed that nature itself was the mirror of God. He called all creatures his “brothers” and “sisters”, and even preached to the birds and supposedly persuaded a wolf to stop attacking some locals if they agreed to feed the wolf. Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for Saint Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat. For more infor, call 718-892-3232

Contact: Rev. David Powers, Sch.P. 718-892-3232