A message from Fr. David Armstrong:
In just over a month’s time, we will hold our Animal Blessing Service here at St Botolph’s. Each year we host this special service on the Friday closest to St Francis’s Feast Day which falls on 4 October, so this year it will take place on the actual day.
St Francis of Assisi is arguable one of the most famous, and one of the most well-respected and recognised saints throughout the world. People, religious or not, identify with the Saint’s empathetic relationship with animals, and their importance to humanity and world order. Last year, a major exhibition at the National Gallery devoted to the saint proved St Francis’s popularity in our contemporary times.
In his life, St Francis preached the love of God, and love of fellow human beings. He composed poetry, sang and danced with his band of brothers. He spoke to the animals, and pacified warring factions in the communes of medieval Italy. St Francis continues today to be an influential figure for Christians and non-Christians alike. His concern for animals is often adopted and broadened to encompass all of creation. He thus is a draw for environmentalists, those working for social justice and peace, as well as for animal lovers.
At our Animal Blessing Service, we celebrate the importance of animals in our lives, celebrate our love of animals, and the affection and support they give us.
If you do have a pet, or simply love animals, I encourage you to come along to this joyous service where each animal is blessed with Holy Water, receives a St Francis Medal and a copy of a St Francis’s prayer. St Botolph’s choir lifts proceedings with magnificent musical accompaniment, and afterwards we celebrate our pets with drinks, nibbles, and pet treats.
Freddie, our church dog, and I look forward to welcoming you this year.
With God’s love and blessing,
Fr David.
