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Why is St. Francis of Assisi considered the patron saint of animals?
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St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis and Scenes from His Life, tempera on panel by Bonaventura Berlinghieri, 1235; in the Church of San Francesco, Pescia, Italy.
St. Francis of Assisi is considered the patron saint of animals because he viewed all of nature as a mirror of God and referred to all creatures as his "brothers" and "sisters."123
His reputation is rooted in his deep spiritual connection to the natural world and several famous accounts of his interactions with animals:
- Preaching to birds: He famously preached to birds, demonstrating his belief that all of God's creation deserved to hear the Gospel.23
- The wolf of Gubbio: According to tradition, he persuaded a wolf that had been attacking the people and livestock of Gubbio, Italy, to stop its aggression by promising that the townspeople would provide it with food.23
- Canticle of the Creatures: In his writing, the "Canticle of the Creatures," he praised God through various elements of nature, including the sun, moon, wind, and water, further cementing his legacy as a protector of creation.3
Because of this profound reverence for life, many churches host ceremonies to bless pets on or around his feast day, October 4.12