On Oct. 4, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, along with Franciscans worldwide, honored the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology. St. Francis saw every creature as a reflection of God’s beauty. The feast day of St. Francis carried an extra layer of meaning this year as the world commemorates the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures – one of the earliest works of literature in the Italian language.
To celebrate the feast day and the 800th anniversary of the Canticle, the FSPA and the Franciscan Spirituality Center collaborated with Viterbo Campus Ministry. Together, they organized a Blessing of the Pets and pet supply drive at Viterbo University. The blessing brought together nearly 80 community members with their furry and feathered friends. It was a chance to celebrate beloved pets and the spirit of St. Francis.
As Franciscan friars Conrad Targonski and Michael Weldon led the blessing, dogs wagged their tails, cats peeked from their carriers and families gathered together in smiles and laughter.
A few community members shared what the blessing meant to them:
Tanisha Petherbridge and Grace Stoneman, who brought their dog, Mimi, shared that it was their first time at the blessing. The blessing was a great chance for them to be a part of something that means a lot to the Viterbo community.
Left image: Tanisha Petherbridge and Grace Stoneman with their pet, Mimi; Right image: Livi Pappadopoulos with her pet, Lovely.
Livi Pappadopoulos brought her 19-year-old cat, Lovely, who has been attending the blessing for over 15 years. Livi believes that the blessing is why Lovely is such a healthy cat.
Jeff Edlund and his kids, Wyatt and Lorelai, brought their two dogs, Norm and Hank, for their first pet blessing. Jeff said their pets are family, and having them blessed was a special moment.
Left image: Lorelai, Jeff and Wyatt Edlund with their furry friends; Right image: FSPA partners in mission, Brianna Kaiser and Kennedy Cortes, delivering pet supplies.
To continue the celebration, partners in mission from FSPA and FSC joined Father Conrad on Monday, Oct. 6 to deliver all the pet supplies generously donated to the Coulee Region Humane Society. Father Conrad blessed the animals at the humane society, extending St. Francis' compassion to those still waiting for their forever homes.
Top left image: Carolyn Johnson and her pet; Right top image: Father Conrad blessing a cat peaking through its carrier.