https://marfam.org.za/prayer-and-blessing-for-pets-and-other-animals-with-st-francis/

October 4.  St Francis.   End of Season of Creation.   Michael shared with his fellow confirmation candidates. “Just like there are many Theresa’s there are also many Francises in parishes and families. Quite often children choose these as their confirmation patrons and to be their role models.“ “How much do you know about St Francis, so that he can really be a model for you?” Tracy asked.  Michael shared, “He lived 800 years ago.  He was a playboy, came from a wealthy family but in a conversion experience Jesus appeared to him and said, ‘Go and rebuild my church.’ At first he thought he had to go and rebuild a broken down old building but what Jesus meant was to go and build up the people, including himself, to love Jesus, the poor and all of creation, animals and plants too. Although his later life was not easy as he suffered much from nearly going blind and the pain of the stigmata – the five wounds of Jesus on his body – he was filled with the joy of love.” Michael then added, “We, in our family, have discovered St Francis and try to follow his example. Our parents really are witnesses to us and in the world.  I believe we can truly say “Our world is a Family of Families.” Joyce ended with,  “He really wasn’t just a sentimental do-gooder loving animals but seriously concerned for the good of everything God created, especially of course Sister Water which was the theme for this time as living Water.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls    Matt 11: 28-29. Pope Francis:  to Youth at World Youth Day 2023 and often repeated,  The youth and elderly need one another. The elderly are their roots and wisdom and the youth the source of joy and hope. In calling to mind the figure of St Francis of Assisi, we come to realise that a healthy relationship with creation is one dimension of overall personal conversion, which entails the recognition of our errors, sins, faults and failures and leads to heartfelt repentance and desire to change.   LS 218. St Francis faithful to scripture invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. 

Eco-tip:  Young people could do more to make St Francis a true model of an eco-family-friendly caring way of life. Begin together with a prayer and a special blessing of all animals, pets, domestic and wild?   Pray with  St Francis Canticle of the Creatures or the Peace Prayer of St Francis.

DAILY FAMILY PRAYER from Season of Creation 2026.  May God our Father, who brought water from a rock, sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord, who is Living Water, refresh us for the work of restoration.  May the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen. St Francis guide and inspire us on our way.   

Image of St Francis courtesy of the Southern Cross.

Peace Prayer of St Francis 

Lord make me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness joy.
 

O Divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved. as to love
For it’s in giving that we receive
And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born…
To eternal life.   Amen.