Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
They all look to you
to give them their food in due season;
when you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face,
they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
When you send forth your spirit,
they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works
Psalm 104: 24, 27 - 31
Leader: Let us pray:
All: Lord God, Who made the earth and every living creature,
help us to treat with compassion
the animals entrusted to our care,
that they may not suffer from our neglect
nor become victims of any cruelty;
and grant that in caring for them
we may find a deeper understanding of Your love
for creation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
- St. Francis