Once again we will carry out the blessing of the animals in the Cathedral of Saint Matthew. We have this blessing in the context of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4th), an Italian saint recognized for his love of poverty, nature and animals.
The purpose is to rekindle awareness about the responsibility we have in the care of all living beings and nature. We are aware that human beings have seriously affected the creation entrusted to them by God. We forget that this world is our home and those small actions that we can do every day, contribute to the care of this home. We talk about not wasting resources such as water and electricity; not polluting the air, land and water with garbage or irresponsible use of our cars. We have grown up thinking that we are its owners and dominators, authorized to exploit the creation and this has done a lot of damage.
Pope Francisco's encyclical letter, dedicated precisely to this subject, says in his first paragraph: "Laudato si, mi signore" - “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs”.