Father Les Farley, associate pastor at St. Raphael Church in Springdale, blesses animals from the parish in celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 8. Animals of many kinds were there, including dogs, cats, birds and guinea pigs.
The event was held to mark the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is held annually on Oct. 4. The Italian friar is the patron saint of animals and ecology. Many churches, including other Christian denominations, host outdoor blessings of pets on or near the feast day to remember that St. Francis loved all animals. Stories are recounted of him preaching to the “sister birds” and taming a “brother wolf.”
