The Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea celebrated the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy’s animal-loving patron saint, on Oct. 4 with the traditional Blessing of the Animals.
Father John Baker bestowed blessings of health, protection and happiness on dozens of local pets. From birds and lizards to puppies, cats and hamsters, all came away with the blessings in honor of the Catholic saint, who founded the order of the Franciscans and was known for calling all creatures his brothers and sisters.
“In the most endearing stories about him, St. Francis preached to the birds and persuaded a wolf to stop attacking the people of the town of Gubbio and their livestock if the townspeople agreed to feed the wolf,” according to Brittanica.com.
