October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi – the namesake of our pope.  St. Francis loved animals and was the first to create a nativity story – with real animals.

Many parishioners are invited to bring their beloved critters to church for a special blessing. Our own priest invited our family pets, commenting, “Please leave the horses at home.” Seems someone did bring a horse for a blessing one year. Marched that equine creature right in onto the terrazzo floor.

We love our pets and know they are a blessing. Seems the least we can do is acknowledge their compassionate presence and bless them right back.

(S-R photo: South Ocean Beach at Assateague Island National Seashore near Berlin, Md. )

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