Blessing the beasts

Aly Lunkenheimer, 9, watches as her miniature horse, Fancy, is blessed, during a special event held Wednesday, Oct. 8, on the grounds of All Saints Episcopal Church, Nevada. The Rev. Ted Estes presided over the event. The traditional event marks the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. He wrote the "Canticle of the Creatures," an ode to God's living things. "All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures." --Chassedi Cooper/Herald-Tribune

At 2 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Southeast Kansas Humane Society, two and one half miles west of 20th Street and the U.S. 69 by-pass, Pittsburg, Kan., area residents may attend The Blessing of the Animals.

Father Robert MacElwee from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac will be present to perform the animal blessings in recognition of St. Francis of Assisi.

According to a press release from the SEK Humane Society, a feast day in honor of St. Francis is held in early October. The Blessing of the Animals, which is celebrated internationally, acknowledges the profound value of animals in the lives of people.

Any pet owner who wishes to have an animal blessed during the event, should bring the animal to the humane society on Sunday. MacElwee will also bless all the animals at the shelter and pray for deceased animals in the cemetery, the press release said.

According to Mac Elwee, The Blessing of the Animals is an event, which allows people all over the world to recognize their animals as God's creatures and do their part to protect them.

"When you bless something," MacElwee said, "you recognize we don't own them. We are here to take care of them. It is a way for people to acknowledge their (the animals') contribution to our life and our responsibility to them. It is also a way for them (people) to recognize they (animals) are a gift from God."

According to the Web site AmericanCatholic.org, during the blessing of the pets, a prayer is usually offered and the pet is gently sprinkled with holy water. The blessing prayer is usually similar to the prayer below.

"Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord you're God, in all your creatures. Amen."

St. Francis is the founder of the Franciscan Order of Friars, according to Paw Prints, pawprints.kashalinka.com, a collection of interesting and humorous trivia about people, animals, places and more. In 1205, St. Francis left his worldly life and committed his life to caring for the poor and the sick. According to Paw Prints, in 1223, he inspired the creation of a nativity scene, which he called a "creche". St. Francis' creche was the first Nativity scene which used real animals. St. Francis is frequently depicted in art with animals and birds, which he referred to as his sisters and brothers, Paw Prints said.

A similar event was conducted in Nevada on Oct. 8, when animals of all shapes and sizes, from a boa constricter to horses, received blessings as well.