Blessing of the Animals

 Today is St. Francis of Assisi's Feast Day. All week at Johanna's school they celebrated with a blessing of animals which meant we got to bring Fiona with us on Tuesday! (Sorry Pazzo...I only had two arms...) Some kids brought their live pets and some kids brought their favorite stuffed animal.

 

It may seem a little silly to be blessing pets and I agree it was hilarious! However, it was a wonderful opportunity to teach children to be kind to animals. St. Francis taught that animals are family to us and come from the same Heavenly Father, so if our children are kind to animals in turn they should learn kindness and compassion for their fellow human beings.(He also reminded us of a bunch of other things like serving the poor before all others, respecting nature and started the Franciscan Order.)

 

Fr. Doug came out and said a little blessing for the animals, told some jokes then sprinkled them with holy water. Just picture the hilariousness of me holding Johanna in one arm and Fiona in the other. She was the star of the show really, all the kids, teachers and firemen (yes firemen, the preschoolers were having some type of demonstration that day) came up to us wanting to pet her. Good ol' Fiona did great! She wanted to stand right in front for the water, and I really think she stood a little taller that day after her blessing ;) I didn't get to take many pictures, imagine that... but I know her teachers did so I'm hoping to find some.

 

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from St. Francis complete with pictures of our little 'Nona who is totally our Nana from Peter Pan:

 “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”

 “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

 “While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”

  “Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and an be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face.”