On October 3, St. Benedict Catholic School held a blessing of the animals in celebration of St. Francis of Assisi. Students and families were invited to bring their pet to the school to receive a blessing.
Little Flower Pastor Jason Kahle performed the blessing in the back parking lot near the O’Grady Community Center.
“Wednesday, October 4 is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi,” explained Principal Patrice Tscherne. “St. Francis is widely known as the Patron Saint of animals. He believed that nature itself is a mirror of God. He called all creatures ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters.’ There are many stories of him preaching to birds and calming wolves.”
St. Francis of Assisi wrote a poem or hymn called the Canticle of the Sun, or the Canticle of the Creatures. Francis sings praises to God and speaks of the whole of God’s creation as his family.
Students who brought in animals were required to have them under control–on a leash or in a cage. They also were encouraged to bring a photograph of their pet if they weren’t able to bring it to the ceremony.
Sponsored by both Little Flower and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic parishes, St. Benedict Catholic School serves students from preschool through eighth grade. For more information, visit stbenedicttoledo.org or call 419-536-1194.
