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
Hey mama I know I just had a bath yesterday but that stuff smells soooooooo good can I have another one? 
