In the space of a week at the end of September, we are fortunate to celebrate the feast days of three extraordinary saints. Those of St.Francis October 4, St. Therese of Lisieux (the little flower, St. Terese of the child Jesus) on October 1, and St. Vincent De Paul on September 30.
St. Vincent De Paul’s earthly legacies are the many societies in his name around the globe. St. Vincent De Paul has become synonymous with help for the poor. May of those who belong to these societies provide money, food and shelter for those in poverty around the world. The St. Vincent de Paul society also operates thrift stores, where used goods and clothing having been repaired and refurbished are sold and the money used for the needs of those in poverty. This legacy is appropriate, because the Saint, while on earth gave special attention to see the poor as Jesus and meeting their needs regardless of how he was received by the very people he sought to serve. To him the poor were Jesus, thus they were the master’s and it was his duty was to serve them.
As with other Saints, St. Therese’s legacies are the many miracles performed by her after she entered heaven. While on earth, this little nun promised to make God loved on earth. “I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.” Thus she is an important and powerful advocate for those of us still in our earthly time. It is said that when prayers to her are to be answered, the pray-er is gifted with the scent of roses.
Perhaps one of our best known and loved saints is St. Francis. One legacy of St. Francis was his love for animals and his ability to communicate with them intuitively. He is the original Dr. Doolittle. St. Francis is so remembered for his love of animals, that during this time of year, we and even some of our separated brothers and sisters in protestant fellowships, bless our pets and other animals. St. Francis recognized the life in all animals and thus there connection with us and with God. For there can be no life without God. It was not enough for Francis to merely recognize this, Francis was given a special gift to communicate with animals. The animals not only received Francis’s communication or intuition and sensed that through God he recognized their value as living creatures – as brothers and sisters in the spirit. Through the spirit these beautiful creations of Our Lord also communicated back to St. Francis in an expression of their glory and honor for God, they gave Francis their attention and displayed the beauty of their spirits to him. Their willingness to obey him indicated their trust in him, through his loving heart filled with the grace of God. In their happiness to be loved and valued and cared for as is God’s plan for their well-being, they sensed that he valued them. Francis had a special gift or grace in no small part due to his insight and his enjoyment of creation as God’s gift while he was here on earth. He lived as a creature in complete harmony, holistically, and ecologically with all creations.
This week we honor this relationship between humanity and animals with “the blessing of pets and other animals.” We honor animals as God’s creatures, co-habitants and companions as a part of creation with us. Nearby these blessings will take place at St. Francis of Assisi parish 1026 26th street at Sutter park as well as at the Episcopal seat in Sacramento, TrinityCathedral.
As I walk through the streets of downtown Sacramento, I have witnessed a miracle of Our Lord through Saint Francis, and that is the great blessings our brothers and sisters who find themselves homeless derive from their pets – in most cases dogs. Whether the pet is displaced along with the person, or the homeless pet adopts his/her person after they have become homeless, I have personally witnessed the great benefit to both homeless pets and their humans. If we think about this for a minute we can surely see God’s hand in this mutually beneficial relationship and at the same time understand the earthly reasons why God would grace animals and humans with this bond during a time of stress and challenge.
Homeless people tend to be invisible to those us not being so tested, and yet beyond the dominant culture, there is a beautiful culture of our friends who find themselves homeless. They have a bond, they help each other, they share. When a homeless person leaves a "cup o noodles" at another’s “pillow”, shares information about the location of the next safe haven at one of our local churches, shares yogurt, milk and bread from the local food locker, or shares a story about their pet – “we thought we lost her last night, but she showed up this morning" – I am reminded of the woman who had only two pennies and placed them both in the collection box, as Jesus said, “She gave more than all the others.” Pets give their all for their friends, they make the invisible visible though their love and loyalty. They care about their people and they give their people someone to care about and for.
During a time of homelessness whether it be temporary or long-term, this mutual love, caring and loyalty between the travelers -- animal and human -- can provide of self-respect as well as an impetus to keep going, to not give up, to keep moving forward in prayer and God’s love. It is important for us all to recognize this ministry of animals to our homeless brothers and sisters. For truly it these animals these gifts from God, who minister to us all.
Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento, California now has Aneke’s kennel so that,
While their human owners receive help from Loaves & Fishes – a meal, a shower, a housing referral - their dogs and cats will now have a new, safe, dry refuge of their own.
The bond between these owners and their pets is especially strong.
The unconditional love of a companion animal is especially valued by those who face homelessness and numerous other adversities.
Artist Deborah Ann Klenzman works in the spirit of St. Francis. She volunteers for local animal and homeless causes. But what makes her unique are her images in oil and acrylic as well as photographs of pets – primarily cats and dogs. These works of art capture not only the earthly image of the pet; but Debbie has a genius, as did St. Francis, for communicating with animals and putting them at ease and then capturing them on canvas or digital photography in a manner which reveals their true essence. These are extraordinary works. Have a look at online at her work and the programs she supports Progressive Portraits.
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