Blessing Animals, Birds, Fish etc.

Traditionally, each year around the Feast of St. Francis (4th October), we invite local people to bring their animals especially their pets to the friary so as to give them a blessing and to offer prayers for the care and welfare of animals generally. This is to remind us that all creatures are created and blessed by God who sees them as "good". This tradition honouring our founder, St. Francis'  love for creation goes back many years, and is very popular with animal lovers in particular.

A Prayer for Blessing Animals etc.

Blessed are You, Lord God,

Creator of all that lives!

On the fifth and sixth days of creation

You called forth every kind of fish in the sea

and bird in the air,

and all animals on the land.

You inspired St. Francis

to call all creatures his brothers and sisters,

for he saw in them a sign of Your fatherly care for us.

And so we ask You to bless these animals (or this animal) +

By the power of Your love

enable them to live according to You plan.

And may we always do Your will

and praise You

for all of Your beauty in creation.

Praised be You, my Lord

in all Your creatures!

Amen.

Blessing of Animals with Fr. Declan Timmons ofm

Below are some photos taken at the Blessing of Animals held in the friary garden in Killarney, Co. Kerry. Fr. Declan Timmons ofm, a Franciscan friar began with this opening prayer:

Eternal God,

in Your love You create all things,

and within Your great purpose

provide for every kind of animal.

May the whole of creation rejoice in You,

and every creature experience the joy and wonder

of the life for which You have made it.

Give to all Your people

an attitude of care and consideration for animals,

that we may honour You, the creator,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.