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Calling all Pets and Teddy Bears

October 4th is the Feast Day of Saint Francis and the last day of the season of Creation. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment because of his belief that all of God's creatures belong to the same family. Francis called all creatures his "brothers" and "sisters" and was known for preaching to the birds. There is a story of St. Francis taming a wolf in Gubbio, Italy and persuading it to stop attacking locals.

Francis loved the natural world and wrote a canticle (a short hymn) about how Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, and Death all praise God.

 

The season of Creation is an ancient season in the Church calendar in which we relate to God as our Creator. We have been celebrating this season by meeting in our outdoor chapel for the Wednesday Eucharist with members from Salal + Cedar, and we have been using the Salal + Cedar Eucharistic prayer on Sunday mornings. After our Eucharist on Wednesdays, we have spent time discussing how nature speaks to us about God and our place in the world. What I love about this season is that it falls in the transition from summer to fall, and I am left to wonder about God as Creator as the leaves turn from green to red and yellow and as the days shorten and the rain sets in.

 

Because of St. Francis' love for creation we often mark his feast day with a blessing of the animals. At our 10 am service on October 5th, you are welcome to bring your pets or their pictures for a blessing. One of my favourite ways to celebrate the blessing of the animals is to encourage children to bring their teddy bears or other stuffed animals to church to be blessed. Pets are an integral part of our family lives, and their contribution to our peace and well-being is often overlooked. A pet blessing is a wonderful opportunity to thank God for all of God's creatures and to consider our place in God's created order.

 

Sunday, October 5th, is also a Wonder Sunday, and it will be a lovely service of wondering about how we understand our place in Creation. On Sunday, October 5th, please bring your pets or their photos, your teddy bear, or your pet's teddy bear for a blessing and celebration of how all of God's creatures offer praise and magnify the glory of God.

When I was born, at Grace Hospital (now Women's Hospital) in Vancouver, a pink teddy bear was placed in my cradle. When I was old enough to name him, I creatively called him Pink Teddy. Pink Teddy and I will be there for a blessing on October 5th. He would love to meet all the other teddies and say hello.

 

To read St. Francis' Canticle of the Sun, you can go here: https://franciscanfriarscresson.org/the-canticle-of-the-sun/