Blessing of the Animals
And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living
creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild
animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God
made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the
cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the
ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
GENESIS 1:24-31
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) an Italian Roman Catholic Monk who founded the Franciscan Order, is commonly known as the Patron Saint of animals, birds and the environment. He had a consideration for, and identity with, all elements of the physical universe, as illustrated by his poem "Canticle of the Sun." In it, he refers to Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Wind and Sister Water and he praises how God works through these instruments of creation. Legends have been passed down through generations that Francis's rapport with animals was so great that he preached to the birds and tamed a wolf by his words. Thus, he has become the patron of natural conservation. And so on his feast day, we bring animals for blessing as a way of reminding ourselves of the beauty of God's creation and our role in ensuring its care and proper use.
“The Episcopal Church encourage its members to ensure that husbandry methods for captive and domestic animals would prohibit suffering in such conditions as puppy mills, and factory-farms;…
“The Episcopal Church's Peace and Justice Office [is instructed to] identify existing guidelines to educate its members to adhere to ethical standards in the care and treatment of animals…
“The Episcopal Church, through its Office of Government Relations, [is instructed to] identify and advocate for legislation protecting animals and effective enforcement measures."
—from the Episcopal Church, Support Ethical Care of Animals.
Held each fall on the Sunday of the week of St. Francis of Assis. All are welcome to bring their animals to be blessed at at Abrams Animal Farm on Spring Street.
Block Island, RI 02807