St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most outstanding and beloved of all the saints. He was an extraordinary man who had a incredible life. Born rich, he, fought in the Crusades, spent a year in prison, had mystical visions, and was on the forefront of helping the poor and the sick. He is the Patron Saint of Animals and the Patron Saint of the Environment and Ecology.

Saint Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181 to a family of affluent fabric merchants. In 1204 he suffered a serious sickness and it was during this period that his conversion to a more spiritual life began to evolve. He had a number of mystical visions and began helping the poor and the sick. Francis attracted a small-scale band of followers and eventually he founded the Franciscan Order in 1209.

St. Francis was ahead of his time in many ways, perhaps a thousand years ahead! He recognized the inter-connectiveness of all life on Earth, that each creature and plant and human is connected and is significant . Now known as the Web of Life, this deep idea grew out of St. Francis's love of God. Because God deserves to be respected and honored, he believed that we should love and respect all that He created. He saw God in all of creation.

Saint Francis had a particular love for nature and the animal kingdom. It is believed that he could talk to animals and he had several noted encounters with them. One concerned a wolf in the town of Gubbio. The town was being terrified by the wolf that was killing their livestock. The townspeople asked Saint Francis to help them. He tracked the wolf and came upon him in the hills near the town. He commanded it to stop killing and not to hurt anyone. The wolf lay down at St. Francis's feet and listened. To the amazement of the people, St. Francis returned to Gubbio with the wolf at his side and he then fed the wolf. He then promised the people of Gubbio that the wolf would cause them no more harm if they continued to feed it . The wolf had been killing because he was hungry. The wolf and the townspeople became friends. By taming the wolf of Gubbio, St. Francis taught the people not to be afraid and to love and respect the wolf.

On another occasion St. Francis and his followers were traveling when the trees surrounding them were suddenly filled with birds. St. Francis took the occasion to actually preach to the birds. Not one bird flew away, they all stayed and listened.

Saint Francis's love of animals is reflected and carried out today in the Animal Blessings that are held throughout much of the world. Though Animal Blessings pre-date St. Francis, most modern day Animal Blessing celebrations are connected with him and are commonly held on or around his feast day in early October.

The Olvera Street Blessing in Los Angeles is probably the oldest blessing of the animals celebrations in the USA. This actually takes place on the original site of Los Angeles and dates back to about 1781.

The largest and certainly one of the most outstanding animal blessings takes place at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine . Held each year on the first Sunday of October, it draws several thousand people and their dogs, cats and various pets, many whom come from across North America. The highlight of this celebration is the amazing Procession of Animals which often includes elephants, camels, llamas, snakes, horses, farm animals and turtles among many others. The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine began this event in 1985, on the Feast of Saint Francis, to attract attention to the plight of the Earth's environment and to honour the diverseness of life on our Earth .

St. Francis's theology has a mammoth application to our time. He recognized that we are all interdependent and equally accountable for all life on Earth. He spoke out against the destruction of the planet. Not only the Church, but also the scientific community chose Saint Francis as the Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment. Because of people like Saint Francis, we will find alternative ways to live in the 21st century.