Saint Francis medal. Pretty and spiritual.

Hello,

I got this really nice tag with my name and my mamas phon number on it. It is all silvery and looks great on my service dog vest.

Saint Francis is the protector of animals and I like that. The tag is so pretty and says please protect me.  I think that it is a good idea to have them.

There is a prayer for animals. I love the quality of the tag. It looks like it will last a long time and is very eye catching.  I think that it will protect me because it has my phone number on it.

That can help me get home. I hope that I never need the tag but I know if I do that it will be there and that Saint Francis will be takeing care of me until I can get back home.




This is a bit of  info about the Saint Francis preformed at Catholic Churches. This includes the prayer.

As autumn arrives, people in various places may notice something odd. A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets. This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.

Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for St. Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat! 

That there are today over 62 million cats in the U.S. attests to the continuing affection we have for our furry, feathered or finned friends. We've even had a cat called Socks in the White House. Other popular presidential pets range from Abraham Lincoln’s Fido to Lyndon Johnson’s beagles, named Him and Her.

For single householders, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature. The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love. No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.

At Franciscan churches, a friar with brown robe and white cord often welcomes each animal with a special prayer. The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this: “Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

As the prayer is offered, the pet is gently sprinkled with holy water. Believe it or not, most pets receive this sacramental spritz with dignity, though I must admit I have seen some cats flatten their ears a bit as the drops of water lightly pelt them. But the owner is happy, and who knows what spiritual benefits may result? Usually the Blessing of Pets is held outdoors. But I remember it rained one year, and all were invited inside St. Stephen’s Church in Manhattan. It was quite a sight to see pairs of creatures—one human, one animal—sitting in the pews. The pastor joined right in with his beagle. Noah’s Ark was never like this! Some people criticize the amount and cost of care given to pets. People are more important, they say. Care for poor people instead of poodles. And certainly our needy fellow humans should not be neglected. However, I believe every creature is important. The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.

This was taken from http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/blessing.asp


My mama also found this bit more on another site. http://www.st-francis-medal.com/st-francis-blessing-of-the-animals.htm

Animals are frequently mentioned throughout scripture. As example:

Proverbs 12:10, "The righteous man regards the life of his beast." Genesis 9, after the flood, it is mentioned five times that "I will make a covenant with you and with all living creatures."

Deuteronomy 22 and Exodus 23, "If you see an animal that is overburdened, you should lighten its load to help it."

Job 12: 7-10, "Ask the birds, ask the beasts and they will teach you."

Saint Frances Patron of Animals so loved the animals we remember him as a friend and protector to them. Legends have left up with idyllic pictures of how beasts and birds were susceptible to the charm of St. Francis' gentle ways, how they entered companion with him and often felt protected by him. It is said birds listened so reverently to his sermon along the road near Bevagna Francis chided himself for not having thought to preach to them before. He also found great delight and solace in simple things such as the rising sun or flowers, all aspects of nature.

One of the earliest legends of St. Francis speaks of a fierce wolf near the town of Gubbio who was eating animals and humans because he was starving. The entire town was afraid to go outside the town walls until St. Francis--convincing the people the wolf's hunger was what caused him to do wrong--met with the wolf, blessed it and is reported to have said, " Brother Wolf, you have done great harm to this region, not only destroying other creatures without mercy, but you even have the brazenness to kill and devour human beings made in the image of God. You deserve severe punishment; but I want to make peace between you and the town, so that they will not be harmed by you anymore and after they have forgiven you, neither men or dogs will pursue you any more." The wolf indicated it would accept these terms, and offered his paw as a sign. St. Francis of the animals said, "I promise that the town will feed you every day; I know that what you did, you did out of hunger." The town promised to do what the saint had bargained, and having adopted the wolf, and fed him until the day he died. (Story compiled from 'the Little Flowers of St, Francis of Assisi, the website of the Franciscan Friars and Catholic Encyclopedia)

The Little Flowers of St. Francis by Brother Ugolino is a collection of many stories and legends of the life of St. Francis. This is a sample of St. Francis sermon to the birds: "My little sisters the birds, ye owe much to God, your Creator, and ye ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though ye neither spin nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with Noah that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you, though ye neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having thus favored you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God." St. Francis-c 1220

On October 4 St. Francis Feast Day in many parishes animals and pets are blessed as groups and as individuals.

ST. FRANCIS BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

The Roman Ritual - The Book of Blessings Approved for use in the Dioceses of the United States of America by the Conference of Catholic Bishops and confirmed by the Apostolic See. 942 According to the providence of the Creator, many animals have a certain role to play in human existence by helping with work or providing food and clothing. Thus when the occasion arises, for example, the feast of some saint, the custom of invoking God's blessing on animals may be continued.


Order of Blessing
Introductory Rites

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

AMEN

Leader: May God who is wonderful in all his works, be with you all.

Leader: 949 - The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have part in human life. God who confers his gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them symbolic reminders of the gifts of salvation.

Animals were saved from the flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:9-10). The paschal lamb brings to mind the Passover sacrifice and the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt (Exodus 12:3-14); a giant fish saved Jonah (Jonah 2:1-11); ravens brought bread to Elijah (1Kings 17:6); animals were included in the repentance enjoined on humans (Jonah 3:7). And animals share in Christ's redemption of all of God's creation. We therefore invoke the divine blessing on these animals through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. As we do let us praise the Creator and thank him for setting us over other creatures of the earth. Let us also ask him that, remembering our human dignity, we may walk always in his law.
Psalm 8

O Lord our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth.

O Lord, our Lord,
how glorious is you name over all the earth!
You have exalted your majesty above the heavens.

O Lord our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place -
What is man that you should be mindful of him
or the son of man that you should care for him?

O Lord our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet:
All sheep and oxen
yes, and the beasts of the field.

O Lord our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth.
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

O Lord our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth.



St. Francis of Assisi Blessing

O God, the author and giver of every gift,
animals also are a part of the way you provide help
for our needs and labors.
We pray through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi,
that you will make available for our use
the things we need to maintain a decent human life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.



Individual Blessing of the Animals (pets)

After the prayer of blessing, as circumstances suggest,
the minister may sprinkle those present and the animals with holy water.

"N.(name of animal, i.e. "Smokey", not cat/dog) may you be blessed in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May you and N. (the name of the guardian) enjoy life together and find joy with the God who created you."
Concluding Rite
May God, who created the animals of this earth as a help to us,
continue to protect and sustain us with the grace his blessing brings,
now and forever.
AMEN
It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song.


PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS
FOR Animals, OUR PETS

Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures.
To you they were your brothers and sisters.
Help us to follow your example
of treating every living thing with kindness.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals,
watch over my pet
and keep my companion safe and healthy.
Amen.



Saint Francis' Canticle of All Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon
for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.





It's silver plated brass and looks amazing. Thank you for the medal.
www.stfrancispetmedals.com