On Saturday, October 1 we gathered on the Phelps County Courthouse lawn for a Blessing of the Animals service, commemorating St. Francis of Assisi. This was a joint service with Mother Karen Watson and St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church. After some music and prayer, we proclaimed God’s blessing on each of the animals there. There were a bunch of dogs, a hamster, a picture of a goldfish, and a stuffed ladybug!
Blessing of the Animals
What a great opportunity to spend the afternoon in the warm sunshine together!
A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi:
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.
Where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.Amen.