Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 marked the Catholic feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
Pet blessings were offered throughout Chicagoland, including at the Catholic Community of Northbrook in Northbrook and in front of the parish rectory on the lawn on Oct. 1 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glenview.
At 10 a.m. on Oct. 5, Northbrook crisp fall weather helped to make an autumn photo opportunity on St. Norbert’s church steps for people who brought their pets, mostly dogs.
“I think everyone needs to be blessed, right?” said Beth Koeppen of Northbrook, who brought Willeama, 1, a female white Westie.
“We’re all creatures on this Earth.”
Attendees were eager to say hello to Kathy, a female cockatiel. The bird chirped and sang while resting on the shoulder of her owner Rev. Joseph Le, St. Norbert associate pastor, who presided over the pet blessing.
Kathy stayed put during the blessing while Le read prayerful words and walked around spreading holy water.
The statue of St. Francis of Assisi is also known for having a bird in the saint’s company and a wolf by his side.
“St. Francis is popular for his love for nature and love for animals,” Le said.
Le said St. Francis of Assisi is known for having the ability to talk to animals, and once decided to address a wolf who had been coming into a town to attack people and their animals.
“The people, the villagers, didn’t know what to do with the wolf so St. Francis said, ‘Let me talk to the wolf.’”
Le added, “He (St. Francis) went into the woods looking for the wolf and then he talked to the wolf and he said, ‘We need to live peacefully with one another, you should not attack and kill people and kill the people’s animals.’
“The wolf agreed with him and then he went to the village and said, ‘Okay, we need to take care of the wolf, provide him food and then be friends with him.’
“So from that moment, they lived peacefully together,” Le said.
Paula Duran of Northbrook brought a female English bulldog, Juno, 2, and said, “I believe in St. Francis’ intercession.”
John Reynolds of Northfield posed for a selfie with Le, Kathy the bird and Reynolds’ male pup, Finnegan, 20 months.
“They’re part of the family,” Reynolds said of pets. “Our dogs are family members.”
Reynolds acknowledged St. Francis for the saint’s sense of sharing and community, adding, “I think St. Francis was right.”
