On Saturday the 1st of October we have carried out the blessing of the animals here in the Cathedral of Saint Matthew. This event is held on the occasion of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is celebrated on October 4th. Saint Francis lived in Italy in the 12th century. He grew up in a wealthy family, but as a young man, he gave up his worldly riches and possessions to live in poverty and humility, following the example of Christ.
When Francis spoke, everyone listened, including the animals to whom he told that Jesus had loved them too and that they were God's creation. That is why he used to preach to the birds that gathered around him, and his love for nature was so great that he composed a song to thank and praise God for all creation, precisely the “song of creation”: “Laudato Sii ” … “Praise be to you, my Lord, in all your creatures, especially Sir brother sun, for whom you give us the day and enlighten us.… Praise you, my Lord, for our sister mother earth, who sustains and governs us and produces various fruits with colorful flowers and herbs...”
Fr. Tarcisio