Mount Pleasant Pets 2018-19

G www.MtPleasant.Pet | www.MPVets.Pet | www.facebook.com/MPpets PETS G U I D E Even if you’re not a religious person, you’re probably familiar with the iconic image of St. Francis, often found gracing gardens or natural areas as a statue of a robed man with birds, deer or other animals flocking to him. St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology, has won the hearts of many, both inside and outside of the Catholic faith, and is a symbol of caring and compassion for all animals. Francis, born in the 1100s, did not always lead a saintly lifestyle. He was born into wealth, and, even as a teenager, he was known as a vain, rebellious partier and drinker. An aspiring knight with no combat experience, he fought on the losing side of a bitter war between Assisi and Perugia and was one of a few spared death, instead spending nearly a year imprisoned underground awaiting ransom money from his family. While a prisoner, he began having visions from God, and, upon his release in his early 20s, he re- turned a changed man. He followed God’s instructions, devoted himself to Christianity and moved to a radical life of extreme poverty at a time when the church and many of its leaders were wealthy. He developed quite a following and was skilled in delivering sermons that appealed to commoners and even preached to animals. He viewed them as brothers and sisters, and he considered both humans and animals to be God’s creatures. He was known to pray often with flocks of birds or other animals along the roadsides and even preached to a wolf who had been terrorizing a village, killing people and other animals, and who afterward lived peacefully in the village with the promise that his former victims would feed him regularly. Today, St. Francis is remembered for the miracles God performed through him for the poor, the sick and animals. The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated each Oct. 4 by Catholics and people of varying religious backgrounds with a Blessing of the Animals. In Mount Pleasant, crea- tures great and small are brought to churches for the cere- monies, which impart God’s power of health, healing and life for the benefit of each animal. The Blessing of the Animals reaches beyond the doors of each church and inspires many non-members to join in the ritual as animal lovers, pet owners, business owners and families look forward to the opportunity to support our furred, feathered and scaly friends. Carol Linville, president and founder of Pet Helpers, par- ticipates in several Blessings of the Animals each year, both at churches and through shelter events. “Yes, I believe in St. Francis,” Linville smiled. “And St. Anthony, the patron saint of missing things, because I pray CREATURES By Anne Toole GREAT & SMALL ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI BLESSES OUR PETS ALL