Aloha,

Today is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment. St. Francis is so well known for his love of animals that many Catholic churches traditionally bless animals on his feast day. When I lived in San Diego the old San Diego mission would bless animals and give them a medal of St. Francis.

He is also well-known for my favorite prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Enjoy this Sunday, and if you are lucky enough to have a pet, bless it with your love.

With love and aloha,
Susan