This Sunday marks the annual feast day of Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in Christian history and a saint whose appeal crosses religious boundaries. One reason for that broad popularity is that St. Francis loved animals, and people today seem to love animals more than ever.
That helps to explain the growing number of services for the “Blessing of the Animals” in which people of all faiths, or even no faith, bring their pets to churches on Oct. 4 for a blessing.
Beyond the walls of houses of worship, however, issues of animal spirituality, animal rights, and an increasing religious concern for the environment and “creation care” are coalescing into a social and political movement with religious and ethical underpinnings.
See these ReligionLink editions for resources and ideas to take the “Blessing of the Animals” story beyond a standalone photo.
Reporters may also want to note that this year, 2009, marks the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan order, as this Catholic News Service story explains.
