Actually, it was yesterday, October 4, but we always bless the animals at St. P’s on the closest Sunday.  And it’s always a lovely thing.

I have been to Assisi.  Twice actually.  The last time, 2005, I just headed off by myself to seek out the Chapel of Santa Ciara (St. Claire) which had been closed for earthquake repairs in 2000.  It’s all pink and white stripes.

So much birdsong along my walk back to the basilica.  Made me think of the legends that have grown up about what an animal-lover St. Francis was. Lots of cats there too.  I snapped this lovely Umbrian cat.

And here is the Basilica of St. Francis:

The Giotto frescoes took my breath away. Again.  I sort of wish I could forget that painting of St. Francis cutting Santa Clara’s hair.  It’s just  entirely too freudian and creeps me out.  But I digress.

I bought this plaque there and, though I move it around, it always hangs in a place of prominence at 1880.

Father Lin, after blessing all creatures great and small this morning, preached a sermon mostly to the animals present.  He pointed that, according to the Genesis legend (and paleontology)  the animals were created before humans and the Creator saw that they were very good and blessed them. Fr. Lin said, over the years some people thought having “dominion” over the animals gave people the right to abuse them rather than to nurture and care for them.  And then he said to the animals present, “We are sorry.”  A dog barked “amen.”

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made you all.