From large family dogs to the worms of the soil, all creatures great and small were celebrated during a recent blessing in honour of St Francis of Assisi – the patron saint of animals.
On a beautiful afternoon of Sunday 4 October – the feast day of St Francis – faithful fur-children of parishioners of The Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton, were praised as gifts from God and for the joy, love and comfort they bring to families.
Assistant Parish Priest Fr John Nguyen OFM Cap told parishioners that God often used animals as symbolic reminders of the gifts of salvation.
“The animals of God’s creation share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life,” he said.
Fr John blessing some of the animals. Image: Alphonsus Fok
“Animals were included in the repentance enjoined on humans, and animals share in Christ’s redemption of all of God’s creation.
“Let us praise the Creator and thank Him for setting us over other creatures of the Earth, and let us also ask Him that, remembering our human dignity, we may walk always in His law.
“We pray through the intercession of St Francis of Assisi that you will make available for our use the things we need to maintain a decent human life.”
Fr John blessing the Parish’s worm farm, and below, their chickens as part of the ceremony. Images: Alphonsus Fok
As well as blessing parishioners’ pets, Fr John made sure to bless the parish’s animal helpers: chickens and the worm farm.
Blessing of animals “precious” to families
Parishioners Howard and Susan brought their eight-year-old dog Tigger to be blessed.
Parishioner Howard with his dog Tigger. Image: Alphonsus Fok
“He’s blind, and I’ve been blessing him with holy water,” Susan said.
Howard added: “all these animals here are very precious to each of their families, and I hope the blessing will keep them all in good health.”
Fellow pet owner Laura was moved during the blessing of her three-year-old cat, Ming Ming.
“I had a rough time a year or two ago, and he saved me. He made me feel that I’m not alone,” she said through tears.
Parishioner Laura and her cat Ming Ming. Image: Alphonsus Fok
“It’s such a wonderful and touching event because it shows how valuable everyone is, and that includes our pets.”
Blessing part of week-long celebration
The blessing of the animals formed part of the week-long celebrations at Plumpton in honour of the Special Jubilee Year of St Francis, which marks the 800th anniversary of the Transit of St Francis of Assisi.
Earlier on Sunday morning, fellow Franciscan Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, celebrated Mass for the parish community.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv during the Mass for St Francis at Plumpton. Image: Mary Brazell
Inspired by St Francis, Bishop Vincent called parishioners to live the Gospel more deeply and to become “God’s instruments for the transformation of the world.”
“St Francis intuitively understood that we cannot live our lives disconnected from nature. Poverty and simplicity for him didn’t mean to wear shabby clothes or to live in derelict conditions. It is to claim nothing as our own. It is not to be possessive. It is to live without appropriation and domination,” Bishop Vincent said.
“In its deepest sense, to live simply and poorly means to be a steward, guardian and caretaker of all the gifts we are given in trust. It means to be in relationship, partnership and solidarity with everyone and everything around us.
“God calls us to become a community of disciples and pilgrims of hope with our fellow human beings. Let us form ourselves into a force for the common good and social transformation.”
The Mass and pet blessing was part of a week-long celebration of St Francis at Plumpton Parish. Image: Alphonsus Fok
Throughout the week, parishioners were treated to an outdoor movie night, a themed art night complete with a replica Portiuncula – the chapel inside St Mary of the Angels in Assisi – and a day of action in recognition of World Homeless Day.
Other communities including Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, St Anthony of Padua Parish, Toongabbie and the Parish of the Upper Blue Mountains also celebrated blessings of animals.
The blessing of the animals and the celebrations honouring St Francis of Assisi are examples of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Community and Mission. Visit Synodality to find out more.
View images from the Blessing of the Animals here or below.
