Suggested caption: Pastor Glenna Shepherd blesses her own dog, Piper, at the annual St. Francis of Blessing of the Animals" at Pleasant Hill Community Church, UCC as other dogs wait their turn.

Pleasant Hill Ramblings
Jean Clark
Chronicle contributor

On a Sunny mild October 4 on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a collection of dogs with their owners gathered under the side portico of the Pleasant Hill Community Church, United Church of Christ. No cats chose to attend, probably because of the preponderance of dogs. Pastor Glenna Shepherd welcomed all to the annual “St. Francis Blessing of the Animals”. The opening hymn was “All Creatures to our God we Bring”. St. Francis of Assisi wrote this hymn shortly before his death, but it was not published for almost 400 years. The hymn was translated into English for a children’s festival in Leeds, England. It first appeared in the Public School hymnbook in 1919. A litany of “Prayers for Suffering Animals” was spoken by the humans gathered. The “Alleluia” was sung in response. At the invitation of Pastor Glenna each animal was brought forward for a prayer blessing and receipt of a doggie treat “communion”. Her own dog, Piper, squirmed jealously as his master greeted by name warmly each dog with gentle caresses. But he also had a blessing and hug. The dogs loved the doggy treat offering. The final blessing was from St. Clare, companion to St. Francis of Assisi. “Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a Mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always.”

The blessing of pets and animals usually occurs around October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. This is also set to coincide as the culminating conclusion for the Season of Creation. The blessing of each animal, by name, means that health, healing and life are being mediated from God for the benefit of the animal in its relationship with its human partners. This blessing. reinforces our common kinship by blessing ALL animals--human and otherwise. In our increasingly environmentally-aware age, reference to St. Francis’s love of the natural world seems more quaint and agreeable than it would have been to thirteenth-century ears according to popular historian John M. Sweeney’s recent book When Saint Francis Saved the Church: How a Converted Medieval Troubadour Created a Spiritual Vision for the Ages.

Sweeney notes that “no one in the thirteenth century paid any regard or showed concern to animals, other than a source of labor, transportation, clothing, or food.” This is almost certainly an exaggeration, though it is possible that those in the Medieval world with a low view of the physical world would have found St. Francis’s unique attention to animals and creation a bit strange. He released doves that had been offered for sale; he sent recently-caught fish back into the water, and probably most enduringly crafted “Canticle of the Creatures,” that thanked God for the sun, moon, wind, water, fire, earth, as well as all of the created order. As Sweeney notes, “He seemed to look into the eyes of creatures and see himself in them and even walked reverently over rocks in order to show honor to the One who is the Rock.”

Few Churches honor the patron saint of ecology with more earnestness and verve—and with more animals in the pews and aisles—than the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine of New York City. For the last 33 years, on the Sunday nearest October 4th, this immense cathedral, over 600 feet in length, is transformed into the lost Garden of Paradise. The Cathedral service this year featured the Missa Gaia (or Earth Mass), composed by Paul Winter and Paul Halley, brought together the Paul Winter Consort and a mass choir of hundreds of voices, as well as modern and traditional West African dance by Forces of Nature—all in celebration of the beauty of the animal kingdom. The service concluded with the Procession of the Animals, a silent parade of creatures great and small down the Nave of the Cathedral. Following the service, the St. Francis Day fair was held, with pet blessings, activities, refreshments, and performances on the Pulpit Green.

The “Blessing of the Beasts” was more prosaic in Pleasant Hill with domestic pets. However, the love of the participating humans for their furry companions was just as immense.

This week in Pleasant Hill:
Tues, Oct 10, 6 pm, Pleasant Hill Town Council meeting at PH Town Hall, 351 E. Main St., PH 277-3813.
Wednesdays from 10 am - 4 pm. Sundays from 2 - 5 pm Pioneer Hall Museum open for your visits until the end of October. If you have visitors at any other time, feel free to call Sharon at 277-5226, Jeanne at 277-3111, or Chris at 277-3742. They will try to arrange a special tour. www.pioneerhallmuseum.net
Wed, Oct 11, 1:30 pm in Wharton Munson Home. Looney Tunes: Ann Looney plays piano or accordion. All are welcome to enjoy.
Wed, Oct 11 documentaries on “Penal Reform” in Room 4, PH Community Church, UCC Main Street & Church Drive in Pleasant Hill.
Wednesdays, 6 pm, Bible Study & Prayer followed by choir rehearsal at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Mission at 39 Browntown Rd near Main St.
Thurs, Oct 11, 2017, 10 am in Heritage Hall. Memory Care Support Group. All welcome.
Thurs, 2 – 4 pm; Sat, 10 am – 12 Noon, Recycling at PH Town Hall, 351 E. Main St., 931-277-3813.
Thurs, Oct 12, 7 pm, Community Bridge, Fletcher House Dining Room, all welcome. Call 277-5005.