Animals blessed on the feast of St Francis

By Josh Low

In what has become an annual event in the life of the Launceston parish community, some 30 parishioners gathered on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi for the Rite of Blessing of Animals.

Held on Saturday 4 October, the sun shone as people brought their pets to have them blessed by Parish Priest Fr Leonard Caldera in an intimate ceremony outside the Church of the Apostles.

Also receiving a blessing were the local vet and wildlife rescuers who care for the sick and maimed.

Beginning with singing St Francis of Assisi’s song of creation, ‘All Creatures of our God and King’, the Rite of Blessing continued with a reading from the Book of Genesis, Prayers of the Faithful and the animals being blessed with holy water.

The liturgy expressed that God created us to be stewards over all living things; gave us the ability to train these wonderful creatures to help us in our work, as food to replenish our energies, and as comforters and companions who draw us toward His love, reminding us that He cares for us even as He cares for the birds of the air.

Parish Priest Fr Leonard told those present that there is always benefit from having a blessing, even for animals, which God created and called ‘good’.

“The blessing of the animals was a way of experiencing God’s blessings and love through His creation,” he explained.

“God is present with us and journeys with us in all aspects of life, even through the pets we have.

“The animals of God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea [and] share in the ways of human beings, having a part in our lives.

“Francis of Assisi recognised this, and remembering his love for them, we ask for God’s blessing on the animals, and we thank God for letting us share the earth with all creatures,” he said.

Parishioner Mary Sexton said the Blessing of Animals was a wonderful opportunity to “proclaim the glory of our Creator”.

“It was lovely to see grandparents and parents with their young children there.

“Photos and mementos of pets who were unable to come were left on a small table with names of pets at home also written down so that they could be included,” she said.