Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with the Friars
St. Francis loved all of creation - Pet Blessings are a joyful event
In his lifetime, he was known simply as “Il Poverello,” the poor one. Yet few poor men in the history of the world have touched as many souls and affected as many lives as Francis of Assisi.
How will you celebrate the Feast of St. Francis?
In a recent interview, Pope Francis said of his namesake, "He's great because he is everything. He is a man who wants to do things, wants to build, he founded an order and its rules, he is an itinerant and a missionary, a poet and a prophet, he is mystical. He found evil in himself and rooted it out. He loves nature, animals, the blade of grass on the lawn and the birds flying in the sky. But above all he loved people, children, old people, women. He is the most shining example of that agape we talked about earlier."
Many churches hold special Masses and Pet Blessings on this day or throughout the weekend. “Why We Bless Animals,” by Fr. Jack Wintz, OFM, Kevin Mackin, and John Feister, explains this custom.
The St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, Pennsylvania, will hold their Annual Blessing of Animals, Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 pm.
Fr. David Kohut, OFM, pastor of St. Francis Seraph Church in downtown Cincinnati will celebrate on Sunday, October 6 with Mass at 10:00am. After Mass, there will be a pet blessing outside the church and free veterinary clinic will be on site from noon to 4pm.
St. Bernard, Ohio, has a full day of activities beginning with 8:00 am Mass at St. Clement Church followed by coffee, pastries, and great conversation in the Roger Bacon high school cafeteria. While the high school students prepare for the Spirit Olympics, the St. Clement Elementary school will have a Franciscan Pet Blessing outside the friary. Then at 11:00 am the Spirit Walk through the streets of St. Bernard begins. Homecoming activities begin at 4:30 pm at the football field.
You can find a list of some of the churches that are holding Pet blessings here: http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/viewpetblessing.aspx
St. Francis' Almond Cookies
At St. Monica-St. George near UC in Cincinnati, Fr. Al Hirt, OFM, and Br. Michael Charron, OFM, will be in 2 locations at the church early Friday morning, October 4th, passing out information cards about St. Francis, and serving coffee, hot chocolate, and treats to the many students who pass by on their way to classes.
On Francis’ deathbed he asked that Lady Jacoba, whom Francis endearingly called ‘Brother’ Jacoba, to bring him his favorite treat, Almond cookies. Many friar communities bake these pastries as part of their Transitus and Feast Day celebrations. Why not start a tradition in your home of baking these Franciscan cookies to share with your family and friends too?
The Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Indiana, are holding a prayer service on Friday evening at 7:00 pm followed by a simple reception.
Join Bishop Francis Reiss, Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM, and other area Franciscans in celebrating the life of the Poverello on Friday at 7:00 pm at the National Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak, Michigan. 248-423-3600
October’s issue of St. Anthony Messenger Magazine features many articles on St. Francis by Franciscans: Fr. Jack Wintz, OFM, Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, Fr. Pat McCloskey, OFM, and Fr. Dan Kroger, OFM.
Every year Franciscan communities come together to commemorate solemnly the death or passing (transitus) of St. Francis on October 3. One of the integral components of the devotion is the chanting of the antiphon:
“O Sanctissima Anima”
”O most holy soul,upon whose passing from this life
the citizens of heaven rush to greet you,
the choir of angels shout with joy,
and the glorious Trinity bids you come,
saying: stay with Us forever.”
This year in Cincinnati, the Transitus will be observed at 7pm at St. Clement Church, 4536 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45217. Check with your local churches for Transitus services in your area.
Thank you for joining the friars in the Feast Day of their founder. Tell us what you did to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis at: shrine@franciscan.org
Peace and All Good!
Posted in: News, Prayer, Saint Francis
