“Our pets offer us unconditional love by accepting us just as we are every minute of each day.”
The Reverend Channing Smith invited me to attend the “Blessing of the Animals” Sunday service at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga, CA. This was my second year. Last year my attendance with Daisy, our son Jason’s dog was memorialized by an article that appeared in the Los Gatos Times Weekly and the Saratoga News.
The origin of the Blessings of the Animals dates back 800 years ago in honor of my namesake: St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Francis is my middle name, given to me at birth by my late parents Frank and Maria Augustine at my Baptism. St. Francis was the ultimate “animal whisperer.” He is mostly known for preaching to hundreds of birds and brokering a peace between a ferocious wolf who was terrorizing a small village. His sensitivity to all living things being a part of all Creation is reminicent of the Buddhist teachings of expressing loving kindness towards all sentient beings.
Outside the church, just before the service I bumped into Ann Waltonsmith, former mayor of Saratoga and her husband Rick who brought their two gentle donkeys, Betsy and Ike. Over the years my wife Cecile and I got to travel with Ann to Japan and China with a group from Hakone Gardens.
I got to pet and pose for pictures with Betsy who seemed more interested in taking a bite out of one of Daisy’s unused plastic poop bags.😎 Very much involved in our community Ann and Rick used to give children rides around and through the orchard during Saratoga’s Blossom Festival.
As Daisy and I made our way to the front of the church, a young woman looked smilingly toward me and Daisy with a hint of recognition. She said: “Daisy,” right? “Yes!” I answered. Her name is Danielle. We recollected that we first met at last year’s Blessing of the Animals. She is depicted here cuddling with her dog Rosy in the pew. Daisy and Rosy are both six years young, Chihuahua-mixed breed rescue dogs. I also reconnected with the folks at Kitten Cattitude Rescue, founder Adrienne (Addie) Jacques and volunteer Darelle whose non-profit organization I support.
Toward the end of this special Sunday Service, pet owner-companions were called up to the front of the altar to receive the traditional blessing in the spirit of St. Francis. When it was our turn the congenial Reverend Channing Smith gently placed his hand on Daisy’s little head while repeating a short prayer.
Once again, I was amazed how curious and calm Daisy was in the midst of crowd of people and animals. As affectionate and loving as she can be, she can also be very skittish and feisty at times around people and dogs she doesn’t know. I was also surprised how relaxed and joyful I felt attending these events. As I’ve told family and friends, I have never witnessed a service in any tradition as joyful as this one. I could only conclude that the magic of St. Francis rubbed off on us. After all, as the story goes, animals and birds alike were susceptible to his great charm, love and gentle manner. He was their friend and protector.
Aside from the United States, ceremonial blessings of companion animals occur throughout the world including Australia, Canada, Scotland, and Spain. They are celebrated in some form or another in diverse religious communities including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism, Unitarian Universalism—to name a few. Secular communities that respect the rights and welfare of animals are acknowledged internationally around this time on World Animal Day.
More about St. Francis: The man who would be saint, was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernadone in 1181. Later, his father, a wealthy cloth merchant gave him the nickname, “Francesco” or Francis. Many of the stories and legends surrounding St. Francis deal with his love of animals, his caring for the natural world, his dedication to the poor and as a man of peace. He gave up a life of wealth and privilege to serve others. It was these same virtues that inspired Pope Francis to take his name.
Photo: Next to the last photo of Rev. Channing Smith taken in 2017 Blessing of the Animals
