We are discovering more and more the benefits of pets in our lives and society so blessing them at church, in the synagogue or even in our animal oriented institutions, is not just a fun thing to do it is acknowledging their importance to both us and God. This began as a Catholic celebration associated with St Francis of Assisi, but has become extremely popular for people of many traditions in the last few years. Let Us Desire Nothing But God – A Prayer by St Francis of Assisi.You are safety, you are rest, you are joy,Īnd for those who might like to read more prayers and what I have written in previous years for St Francis day.
You are love and charity, you are wisdom, You, holy Father, King of heaven and earth. Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, Lord God, you made Saint Francis of Assisi I particularly love this rendition written for International Women’s Day a couple of years ago: A Franciscan Prayer for International Women’s Dayįrancis, the destitute and lowly, enters heaven a rich man, acclaimed by the songs of angels! Or you may prefer this form to meditate on: Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console Īnd it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. This prayer commonly associated with St Francis was not actually written by him as Daniel Horan explains in Living the Prayer of St Francis With All Creation but is still a good reminder of all he stood for.
Here are some of my favourite St Francis Prayers: Each year, I post resources for both blessing the animals and for St Francis day so this year I thought I would combine them as many of us associate the two together. I love being about to take our Bonnie dog to church and have her blessed and I know that this practice is growing in popularity. St Francis Feast Day is October 4th and many churches including ours, are getting ready for a blessing of the animals.