Our pets are dear members of our family. St. Francis of Assisi, born in Umbria in 1181, loved animals. He died on October 4, 1226 at the age of 45. Francis is the patron saint of ecologists and merchants. His feast day is October 4 each year. This is a great time to acknowledge and love on these members of our family. A Blessing of the Pets is always a big hit.
Most often, it is best to have the Pet Blessing at a time other than your normal service. Pets can make messes in your worship space, fights can erupt, and lots of animals together make for a bit of a distraction. Why not schedule it late afternoon or early evening? October 4 falls on a Friday in 2024.
In 2024, October 4 is on a Friday.
In 2025, October 4 is on a Saturday.
In 2026, October 4 is on a Sunday.
In 2027, October 4 is on a Monday.
There are some congregations that hold the pet blessing during their Sunday service, on the first Sunday in October. Everyone is invited to bring their leashed, caged, and contained pets for a blessing of the animals. Some congregations pair the blessing of the pets with a presence from pet adoption services.
Whatever you do, be sure to publicize it widely, beyond your church membership. This is a popular event. Let the press know. Be sure to wear a bright stole. This is a fun photo op and a way to bless your community. Some congregations serve snacks (for pets and people). Some congregations invite a food truck or two.
The service can be as simple as a stand up service with:
1. A prayer
2. A scripture or two
3. Blessing of each pet, one-by-one.
4. Closing prayer.
Some Scriptures and prayers are included below. A hymn can be thrown in if there is time and space. You can sing one of St. Francis’ most popular hymns, the Canticle of the Sun, where Francis encourages praise of God through creation, echoing Psalm 148 “Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!” (Psalm 148:7-8). The hymn is often sung in All Creatures, Worship God Most High! (ELW 835), which is printed below.
Hymns:
All Creatures Worship God Most High (ELW 835)
This is My Father’s World (ELW 824)
All Things Bright and Beautiful (Public domain. See below.)
His Eye is on the Sparrow (Public domain. See below.)
If you have an outdoor worship space and people can sit. your liturgy may be a big longer. Here is a Pet Blessing Liturgy by Pastor Thomas Weitzel: http://www.liturgybytlw.com/LessFest/StFrancs.html.
Don’t underestimate the emotional and spiritual value of this moment. Have some treats available. make special invitations to those whose animals you know. In the past, we’ve had dogs, cats, gerbils, snakes, fish, donkeys, and more.
Here are some prayers:
Gracious and loving God, you place all living things into the care of humankind. We pray that companionship with house-hold pets will deepen our care for animals everywhere. Help us to balance our needs with theirs, and lead us in ways of life together that will be sustainable for all. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (From St. Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, MD)
Holy God, we thank you for the gift of life. Recalling Francis who celebrated your love for all creation, today we embrace our connectedness to all: to wind, sea and sky; to earthworm, giraffe and chicken; to fish and puppy, to cats of the jungle and in our homes. Deepen our care for all that lives; in the name of Jesus, our teacher, Savior, and friend. Amen. (From St. Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, MD)
O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, for our brothers and sisters, the inarticulate beasts, to whom Thou gave the earth as their home in common with us. We remember with shame that in the past we have exercised the high dominion of humanity with ruthless cruelty so that the voice of the earth, which should have gone up to thee in song has become a groan of anguish and a cry of torment. May we realize that they live not for us alone, but for themselves and for Thee, and that they too love the sweetness of life. Amen. (From St. Basil the Great)
In Your infinite wisdom, Lord God, when You created the universe you blessed us with all living creatures. We especially thank you for giving us our pets who are our friends and who bring us so much joy in life. Their presence very often helps us get through trying times. Kindly bless our pets. May they continue giving us joy and remind us of your power. As our pets trust us to take care of them, so they care for us. Help us trust you. Teach us to share in your love for all creatures. Amen.
Here are some Scripture passages:
Genesis 1:23-28,31a
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
Ecclesiastes 3:18-22
I said to myself with regard to humans that God is testing them to show that they are but animals. For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and humans have no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place, all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the human spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work, for that is their lot; who can bring them to see what will be after them?
Isaiah 11:6-9
The wolf shall live with the lamb;
the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the lion will feed[a] together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
Psalm 148:7-14
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 8:3-9
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are humans that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God[b]
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Job 12:7-10
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being.
Revelation 5:13
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them, singing,
“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might
forever and ever!”
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Here are some blessings:
Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.
Holy God, we thank you for the gift of life. Recalling Francis who celebrated your love for all creation, today we embrace our connectedness to all: to wind, sea and sky; to earthworm, giraffe and chicken; to fish and puppy, to cats of the jungle and in our homes. Deepen our care for all that lives; in the name of Jesus, our teacher, Savior, and friend. (From St. Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, MD)
All Creatures, Worship God Most High! ELW 835
1 All creatures, worship God most high!
Sound ev’ry voice in earth and sky: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing, brother sun, in splendor bright;
sing, sister moon and stars of night:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Sing, brother wind; with clouds and rain
you grow the gifts of fruit and grain: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear sister water, useful, clear,
make music for your Lord to hear:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3 Sing, brother fire, so mirthful, strong,
drive far the shadows, join the throng: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear mother earth, so rich in care,
praise God in colors bright and rare:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 All who for love of God forgive,
all who in pain or sorrow grieve: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears;
still make your song amid the tears:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5 And you, most gentle sister death,
waiting to hush our final breath: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom,
fair is the night that leads us home.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
6 O sisters, brothers, take your part,
and worship God with humble heart: Alleluia! Alleluia!
All creatures, bless the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Text: attrib. Francis of Assisi; tr. composite
Text © 1999 Augsburg Fortress
Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN (see LBW #527)
