The lawn of the historic Immanuel Episcopal Church in LaGrange, Tennessee was the setting for the sixth annual liturgy for the Blessing of the Animals on September 30, 2012. Zuri, Immanuel's Parrish Puppy, sent out invitations to all humans to “bring their Canines, Felines, Horses, Chickens, Goats, Goldfish, Stuffed Animals or any Pets of your Pleasure to be Blessed on the Lawn of Immanuel.”
“The Righteous Man Regards the Life of His Beast.” Proverbs 12:10
The Reverend Barney Gordon once again led the ritual blessing in the spirit of the patron saint of animals and ecology, St. Francis of Assisi, whose love for all animals is renowned.
St. Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things: “All praise to you, Oh, Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” The bond between human and domestic animal is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a human and dog, cat, horse, etc. are two creatures of love.
The text of the Blessing of the Animals is usually something like this:
“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 our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
“The Righteous Man Regards the Life of His Beast.” Proverbs 12:10
The Reverend Barney Gordon once again led the ritual blessing in the spirit of the patron saint of animals and ecology, St. Francis of Assisi, whose love for all animals is renowned.
St. Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things: “All praise to you, Oh, Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” The bond between human and domestic animal is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a human and dog, cat, horse, etc. are two creatures of love.
The text of the Blessing of the Animals is usually something like this:
“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 our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
