Photo: Julia Volk

What saint heals animals?

Francis of Assisi Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of Pets & Animals.

funeralhelpcenter.com - St. Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of Pets & Animals - Funeral Help Center

Why some people can't make money?

They are rooted in psychological and behavioral deficiencies, such as lack of work ethic, lack of faith, lack of discipline, over-spending,...

Last updated Mar 31, 2019

What is everyone's favorite zodiac sign?

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) Leos, known for being outgoing and confident, seem to be the most popular by far to be paired with another zodiac sign in...

Last updated Aug 22, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

The Catholic Church venerates more than 10,000 people as saints — many of them associated with unusual things. For example, St. Bibiana is the patron saint of hangovers, St. Columbanus of motorcyclists, and St. Balthasar of playing-card manufacturers. Below, you will discover why St. Francis of Assisi is considered the patron saint of pets and animals.

The Life of St. Francis of Assisi

Born in 1181 to a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy, this future Catholic saint was originally named Giovanni, the Italian equivalent of “John,” but his father took to calling him Francesco, which means “Frenchman” in Italian. (His father was a prosperous silk merchant who loved France and was married to a French noblewoman.) Growing up, Francis (the short version of Francesco) enjoyed a life of luxury and privilege, but he and his family were not members of the nobility. Thus, the ambitious youth dreamed of distinguishing himself during military battle so he might receive the elevation in class he desperately desired. In his early twenties, Francesco received two such opportunities. First, his hometown of Assisi went to war against another Italian city, during which Francis was captured and imprisoned in a dungeon. Deprived of luxury and privilege for about a year, he quickly resumed his former life of excess and indulgence as the son of a wealthy family after his release. Roughly a year later, in 1204, while traveling to a second military battlefront, Francis experienced a spiritual vision that fundamentally changed him and altered his life. Not only did this revelation show him the futility of his current lifestyle and ambitions, but it also instructed him to return home immediately. Obeying the vision, Francis ultimately renounced all his worldly goods in order to devote his life to God, the Christian Church, and the lessons of the Gospels in the Bible so he could follow the example of Jesus as closely as possible. After spending the rest of his life in poverty while spreading the Christian doctrine, Francis eventually grew ill and died in 1226 at the age of 45.

St. Francis’ Connection to Pets and Animals

Francis viewed nature and all its marvelous creations as a reflection of God’s power and purpose and, therefore, everything on earth — animal or plant, large or small — shared a kinship and bond that required treating everything else in God’s creation with respect and as an equal. This viewpoint also extended to animals, and two legends helped solidify Francis as the eventual patron saint of pets/animals. The first recounts how he stopped a man-eating wolf from terrorizing residents of a town near Assisi by preaching to it using the power of his voice. The second legend relates how Francis paused during his travels to preach to hundreds of birds perched in trees along the road, assuring them that God cared for them and urging them to thank Him for their beautiful “clothes.” For these reasons, among others, St. Francis of Assisi became the Catholic patron saint of pets and animals. Today, pet owners often pray to this Catholic saint to bless their pets, and countless pet cemeteries contain a statue, mural or some other image of St. Francis on their grounds.

“St. Francis of Assisi.” www.catholic.org. Retrieved January 5, 2019. http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50

How much cash should you keep in the bank?

Most financial experts end up suggesting you need a cash stash equal to six months of expenses: If you need $5,000 to survive every month, save...

Last updated Aug 18, 2022

Does anxiety affect manifesting?

Having anxiety doesn't restrict you from having the ability to manifest. It's much easier said than done, but being aware of our emotions can...

Last updated Aug 12, 2021

Promotion

How do you pray for a successful day?

Dear Lord, Help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

womansday.com - 20 Powerful Daily Prayers to Help Get You Through Every Day of the Year

Although people of faith might not want to admit it, most can probably remember a time when reciting a daily prayer or two was not exactly a part of their everyday routine. For many, daily prayer is something they turn to when life becomes stressful, difficult, or saddening. It can be easy to forget about the habit when life becomes busy or when everything is going well. But having a daily habit of healing through prayer is a great way to stay grounded in your faith on a day-to-day basis and prioritize reflective time between you and God. Reading a prayer for today will not only help you feel closer to God, but can also relieve daily stress and anxiety. But if it's been a while since you read Bible scripture, finding a place to start can feel overwhelming. That's why it's helpful to have some short go-to Bible verses and prayers that can provide guidance and strength through every season of your life, whether you pray every day, week, month, or barely at all. The most important thing to remember, though, is that no matter how often you pray, God is always ready to listen. Find more strength, peace and hope every day with WD's Everyday Inspiration Bible verse cards — a portable box of inspo that will keep the encouragement you need close at hand.

How do you heal a broken family?

Family Therapist Tips for Healing a Broken Family Let Go of Your Anger. Holding onto anger and grudges robs you of your inner peace. ... Set...

Last updated Mar 16, 2019

How do you know if your head chakra is blocked?

A person with a blocked Crown Chakra may experience unwillingness to be open to other ideas, thoughts, or knowledge. The signs such as psychosis,...

Last updated Jul 6, 2018

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

How do I know my IQ level?

9 reliable IQ tests Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS) ... Mensa practice test. ... Stanford-Binet intelligence scales (SBIS) ... Brain...

Last updated Oct 21, 2018

Promotion

What is the real answer to the universe?

Take author Douglas Adams's popular 1979 science-fiction novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the first in a series of five. Toward the end...

Last updated Aug 29, 2022