Animals seem to be an extension of our families.It is not surprising that we own approximately 170 million “fluffy, scaly, winged or hairy” pets.While it is impossible to ascertain the entire island pet population, a representative sample was to receive special attention on Sunday, Oct. 4.It was the celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy, the environment, and more to the point, animals.
In the Catholic calendar, October 4 is the day the saint is honored with a feast, and the Blessing of the Beasts is a customary part of the celebration.
This sunny morning 212 legs of a number of creatures made a pilgrimage to the little white church on the hill; 65 of these creatures had two legs and 20 had four legs.I attempted to pick up two dogs on the way to the service but could not entice them into my car (they were not church going dogs).
The service began with the melodic hymn “God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale,” followed by this prayer:
“God, our creator, help us love all creatures as kin, all animals as partners on Earth, all birds as messengers of praise, all minute beings as expressions of your mysterious design, and all frogs as voices of hope.”
Scripture read from Genesis that talked about animals being our companions, from Revelation about animals being around His throne, and from parts of a sermon of St Francis “Peace, birds Peace,” were all dedicated to “all creatures great and small.”
To the delight of young and old, Deidre Page read “The Blessing of the Beasts” by Ethel Pochocki.This book follows the spiritual journey of a she-roach named Francesca and her friends Martin the skunk and an ancient gently circus elephant as they too receive a warm welcome into the “circle of life,” and are blessed.
Rev. Desi Larson individually blessed each animal with the hope for a long life, good health and a happy home.This included two rabbits (Fluffy and Clover), two guinea pigs (Orange and Violet), 15 dogs, and a cat who left the group and decided to observe the ceremony from behind a stone wall.
Hopefully, those pets not present and all the wild animals on the island (19 deer, two beavers, two families of mink, a family of raccoons, innumerable rats, mice, voles, song birds, crows, cormorants and seagulls) heard the Children’s Choir rendering of Bill Staines’ “A Place in the Choir”:
“All God’s creatures got a place in the choir,
Some sing low, some sing higher.
Some sing out loud on the telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, their paws, or anything they got now.”
As we finished the last verse and chorus, Buster the Great Dane barked three times, and the service concluded.Everyone was invited to the Fellowship Hall afterward for refreshments, which included of course, animal crackers.
(This article was published in the November issue of the Island Times.)
