The celebration of St. Francis and the blessing of the animals is rooted in the deep reverence and love for all creatures that St. Francis exemplified. His writings praise God through the beauty of nature and the animals that share our world. This tradition invites us to acknowledge God’s care for every living creature and to ask for His protection and blessing over them.
It is a time to recognize the joy, companionship, and comfort animals bring into our lives and to give thanks for the wonder of God’s creation.
For everyone’s safety, please keep all animals on a leash or securely contained until the time of the blessing.
We will also be collecting donations of pet food for 2 local all volunteer organizations — The Rowan Humane Society and the Faith, Hope, and Love Rescue. We are grateful for the wonderful work they do to care for animals in need.