Churches to see parades of animals

Don’t be alarmed when you see parades of animals crossing the lawn of your church over the next few Sundays.

Thursday is St. Francis’ feast day and as is customary in both the Catholic and Episcopalian faith, critters are invited guests to a service in their honor. The celebration is in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi.

Francis 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.” St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology, was a Roman Catholic saint who took the gospel literally by following all Jesus said and did.

The bishops of the United States published a document in 1992 entitled “Renewing the Earth.” In it the bishops praised St. Francis while reminding readers: “Safeguarding creation requires us to live responsibly in it, rather than managing creation as though we are outside it.”

We should see ourselves, they added, as stewards within creation, not as separated from it. Francis was ahead of his time, rather then raising himself above the animals, he acknowledged an equality with them.

This Sunday St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihu‘e and the Episcopal Church on West Kaua‘i invite all animal lovers to bring their pets to church for a special blessing at this annual celebration.

“St. Francis lived in the twelfth century in Italy,” wrote Reverend Mary Lindquist in a church press release from Episcopal Church on West Kaua‘i. “He was an inspired mystic, an advocate for the poor, and a lover of the wonders of nature and animals; many stories report St. Francis speaking with animals and even preaching to them.”

“In 1979 Pope John Paul II proclaimed him patron saint of ecologists because during his life Francis had addressed the natural world as his own kin. Many songs and hymns have been composed to celebrate what Saint Francis called Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Sister Water and Brother Wolf,” states the press release.

Lindquist doesn’t recite a prayer for each animal by rote. “What I do is ask the owner what they appreciate about their dog, cat or horse. Then I say a prayer thanking God for the specific qualities of the pet — thanking God for the love that exists between the pet and owner and asking God to bless the animal with health and joy all the days of their lives.”

The American Catholic Web site wrote that the pope cited St. Francis as “an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation.” So bring your pet to either St. Michael’s in Lihu‘e or one of the two Episcopal Church on West Kaua‘i locations.

• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.

Bless your (leashed) pets

This Sunday:

• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kekaha (corner of Aukuu and Kiowea) at 8:00 a.m.

• St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ele‘ele (322 Mehana Road) at 10 a.m.

For more detailed directions: episcopalkauai.org or call 335-5533.

Next Sunday, Oct. 7

• St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihu‘e, 4364 Hardy Street at 4:30 p.m.

Church service followed by outdoor reception from 5 to 6 p.m.

Live music with John Gilleran and friends. Hot ‘deity’ dogs and assorted beverages provided for humans; treats and certificates of blessing for critters.

For more information: 245-3796 or fatherbill@stmichaels-kauai.org.

Canticle of the Creatures

All praise be yours, My Lord,

through all that you have made.

And first my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day….

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!

Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;

In the heavens you have made them, bright and precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air….

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,

So useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom you brighten up the night….

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,

Who feeds us…and produces various fruits

With colored flowers and herbs….

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,

And serve him with great humility.

—St. Francis of Assisi: Writings and Early Biographies, edited by Marion A. Habig, ©1973 by Franciscan Herald Press