A Prayer

At Loss of a Pet Animal, Bird or Fish etc.

- based on prayers by St. Francis of Assisi

 

 Grave of our family dog, Sceolan, 1993 - 2011

Burial Place of a Family Pet

 

Feel free to adapt this prayer to your own needs

 

Opening Hymn / Song (Optional)

 

Opening Prayer

Leader: Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
Brother Sun, Sister Moon and the Stars, Brother Wind,
Sister Water, Brother Fire, and Sister Mother Earth;

All: Praised be You, my Lord, with our brothers and sisters
the birds, animals, plants, fishes, insects and rocks;

 Leader: Praised be you, my Lord for creating pet's name here.
We thank you for blessing our lives with him/her,
for as St. Francis said, "all creatures under heaven
serve, know, and obey their Creator,
each according to its own nature ... better than you."

 

Our family dog, Sceolan, 1993 - 2011

Sceolán, a much loved companion 1993 - 2011

 

All: Let every creature
in heaven, on earth,
in the sea and in the depths,
give praise, glory, honour, and blessing
To God Who suffered so much.

 

Remembering with Gratitude

Leader: We remember the times we spent together ...
 Name some of these ...

 

Bud, oil on canvas by Br. Cathal 

Bud, a loyal friend 1999 - 2009

 

Your Own Prayers for Care of Creation

Leader: Let's offer our own prayers for the care and welfare of animals (and all creatures) ... Persons present ask God for some wish
After each prayer, all respond: All you creatures, bless the Lord.

 

Reflecting on Death & Loss

Leader: Let us reflect upon death and loss

... pausing for a moment of silence ...

 

All: Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape,
not even those most precious to us.
Yet we live in the hope that every creature which God has made will share in that time when all things will be made new.

 

Our friary cat, Ginger

Ginger, friary cat 2010 - 2012

 

Prayer to the Father of All

Leader: As a family of creatures, together let us pray ...

 

All: Our Father, Who art in heaven

Hallowed be Thy Name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trepasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader: Let us now finish our prayer with praise & thanksgiving to God.

 

All: Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.

 

Closing Hymn / Song (Optional)

 

www.franciscans.ie

 

 

Laudato Si'

mi' Signore 

 

Praised be You

my Lord

with all

Your creatures

- St. Francis