stfranman Ecology/Environment, Holy Days and Holidays, Humane Treatment of Animals

On The Feast of St Francis, 2024

Some considerations to keep in mind today as we think about the great love we have for our pets and our animal friends more broadly:

It’s a matter of great importance to treat the Earth, our common home, with reverence and compassion. And to extend this compassion to all of Earth’s inhabitants, not just to humans, those of us walking around on two legs with opposable thumbs and somewhat more-capable brains.

I truly love this celebration each year. I have always had a deep love for critters and wildlife of all kinds and have also celebrated and venerated St Francis for many years who has been called the Patron Saint of Animals.

In fact, Saint Francis of Assisi has been the go-to guy when a celebration such as ours this morning comes around. And I think it’s appropriate to mention him on an occasion like today. His feast day is actually observed in the Catholic Church on October 4th and other liturgical churches as well.

Francis was a much-beloved figure in his time. His love for his fellows, animals and for the Earth which supports all of us, was noted by his contemporaries and by the leadership of the Church in the 13th Century. These are some of the reasons that he has been considered for centuries to be a special patron for animals and the environment. Francis is also—along with St Catherine of Sienna—the Patron Saint of Italy.

Many may not know that as a young man, Francis—whose birth name was actually Giovanni—was a combat veteran, a lancer in the army of Assisi in their war against the competing city of Perugia.

He was captured at the outset of that war and held for ransom by Perugian partisans. It was during this time in captivity–which lasted almost a full year–that young Francis fell grievously ill and began receiving visions which would, in a very few years,  lead him to embrace a life of poverty, simplicity and–most of all–a life of service to the Divine One, to all humanity and all of God’s creatures.

There’s a well-known, well-loved story about a sermon Francis was said to have preached to some very attentive birds one day as he and some fellow travelers—Monks Francis knew well and worked and worshipped with–as they were making their way through the Spoleto Valley in Italy. Francis, it is said, noticed that a huge flock of birds had gathered in nearby trees surrounding them. Francis felt that the birds were watching him as if they were anticipating something. Feeling Divine inspiration, he decided to preach a sermon about God’s love for them.

It was an encouraging message about the Divine One’s love and all-sufficient care. And then, the story goes, the birds began to chirp and sing before they winged away, to each of Earth’s four directions, to rejoice in and share this loving and pious man’s message.

So, now we are preparing to bestow our finest and heart-felt blessing on Mittens and Rover. And so many other friends who may walk—or hop–or crawl–on four legs! I am not at all slighting our friends who flit about on two wings. We—as did Francis in his day—adore and care for them and give them our highest and most-heartfelt blessing today!

A quick aside: I’ll never forget when Goofball the First, my beloved parakeet, escaped when we had the kitchen door open just a moment too long! I cried for days…

St Francis loved well and cared for lepers and outcasts in his corner of the World and for all god’s creatures, great and small. And that great love for the Earth and all of Her critters and creatures is something we all share and are gathered to celebrate here today!

A Reading here from author Andriy from the site Psychology.tips

The Importance of Love with Animals

I’ve journeyed through the fascinating world of animal-human relationships, and I’m at the end now. It’s vital for us to understand how deep our bonds with animals can go. Our connections with them are not just about companionship; they’re about mutual respect, coexistence, and shared emotions.

Love towards animals has shown multiple benefits for us humans. Studies indicate that being around animals can lower stress levels and boost our mood. They don’t judge or hold grudges; their love is unconditional.

But it’s not a one-way street. Animals too, benefit from our affection. A home filled with love can provide shelter dogs or cats a second chance at life while providing an enriching environment for pets.

…let me emphasize this – loving animals teaches us empathy and compassion, shaping us into better individuals overall. As we take care of them, we learn responsibility and kindness – traits that extend beyond our interactions with animals.

So let’s cherish these wonderful creatures who give so much yet ask for so little in return. Let’s continue to appreciate them every day because the importance of love with animals cannot be overstated.

In a world where there’s often too much hate going around, let’s choose to spread more love – especially towards those who wag their tails or purr in response!

In his love;

Ben Lawrence Basile

© 2024 Benjamin Lawrence Basile

stfranman Bible/Sacred Literature, Compassionate Living, FSF News/Events, Humane Treatment of Animals, Spirituality/Religion

What We Believe

The Fellowship of St Francis lists the following Six Principles and commends them to all People of Good Will:

The First Principle: On Compassion for All Compassion is the highest, purest and best motivation for People of Good Will in dealing with one another. Calling people of faith back to the practice of compassion is the first great urgency of the times in which we live.

The Second Principle: On Compassion for the Earth Compassion for the Earth and all who live on it–not only the human species–is the second great urgency of the times in which we live. St Francis is our unique example and modeled this compassion in his day and we aspire to do the same. Therefore, we commit to caring for our Earth compassionately and we use compassion toward all animals–whether wild or domesticated–at all times.

The Third Principle: On Prayer Prayer is the Universal attempt on the part of mankind to appeal to the Divine One(s) for comfort and help. Prayer–which may be seen as focused intention–is to be commended but not to be used as a thoughtless incantation or treated superstitiously.

The Fourth Principle: On Sacred Literature We commend Sacred Literature to all people of faith and people of good will and do not claim that the Christian Scriptures are authentic and binding but that Sacred Writing from all other religious traditions are invalid, counterfeit or sinister.***We especially reject the teachings from any religious tradition that say there are people destined for heaven and happiness but that other humans are accursed, condemned or damned and that eternal punishment in Hell is appropriate and the will of the Divine One. ***As to a general principle in interpreting or making sense of Sacred Literature, we commend the use of literary criticism and historical and scientific tools and reject superstition in the interpreting of Sacred Literature.

The Fifth Principle: On Respect for All All persons bear in them the imprint or image of the Divine One and are therefore worthy of love and respect. We clearly disavow and condemn any teaching of any religious tradition that says some people enjoy God’s favor and that others are to be shunned, persecuted or denied respect or any of society’s considerations or protections.

The Sixth Principle: On the Make-up of a Church or Fellowship The benefits of a Church, Congregation or Fellowship are not reserved only for people with religious beliefs and practices which might be considered to be orthodox in our time and cultural setting but are the right of any association, congregation or fellowship of like-minded individuals for the purpose of fostering greater faith, love, compassion and any loving, positive spiritual practice.***We especially disavow any teaching or understanding that individuals who participate together in a Fellowship or Congregation must believe, embrace or adhere to any particular doctrine or dogma to be accepted or loved or to be acceptable in the sight of God.

© 2019 The Fellowship of St Francis, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Fellowship of St Francis is a new and completely independent work and is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church or any other church or ministry.

stfranman Compassionate Living, Spirituality/Religion

The 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 is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  

Prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi

stfranman Compassionate Living, Ecology/Environment, FSF News/Events, Spirituality/Religion

The Legacy of St Francis

Yes, it is St Francis of Assisi who was chosen to be front-and-center for this new ministry.

Yes, that St Francis.

There are two great urgencies that are at the heart of what the FSF is about.

The first is to make compassion the foundation for all that we do, for all our interactions with our fellows.

And the second is use to treat the Earth, our common home, with wisdom and that same compassion. And to extend this compassion to all of Earth’s inhabitants, not just to the Human species.

With these two urgent priorities in mind, Saint Francis was a most suitable choice as the icon and a wise, compassionate patron for the Fellowship. He was a much-beloved figure in his time.

Francis’ love for animals and for the Earth were noted by his contemporaries and by the leadership of the Church in the 13th Century and are the reasons that he is considered to be a special patron for animals and for the environment.

So it is very fitting to have this well-loved and venerated figure to lead the way, so to speak, for our fledgling Fellowship.

Brother Ben

© 2019 The Fellowship of St Francis, Inc.

The Fellowship of St Francis is a new and completely independent ministry and is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.