By Maricarmen Godoy
NORWALK — The parish of Saint Joseph & Saint Ladislaus celebrated World Animal Day on Wednesday, October 4, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The blessing of animals is a practice that the church has been doing since the 13th century when Francis of Assisi named, in his humility, all beings in the ecosystem as “brothers” and since 1929 when the World Organization for Animal Protection proclaimed October 4 as World Animal Day. During a congress in Vienna and later, in 1980, Pope John Paul II designated Saint Francis of Assisi as the patron saint of animals and environmentalists.
In the parking lot of the Saint Ladislaus church, where the pets and their owners gathered on the afternoon of October 4, the parish priest, Father Edicson Orozco, said that it is a privilege that families can care for and love animals, in turn, raise healthy families in their parish.
“Oh, God! author and giver of all the good things that you have made, may animals also serve as a help to human beings in their needs and their work. We ask you for the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron of nature, and ecologists; may animals always be beings that are respected by us and that help us every day to know your love for Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
“Lord, you who created animals and put them under our dominion so that they will help us in our work. Blessed are you, for these pets that we have here today, that we present to you, they are the sign of your friendship. And the love that you have for us, let us pray to the Lord, how many are your works, Lord blessed are you, Lord, that through these humble creatures, you also draw us to your love and teach us about your company and your friendship. May God’s blessing fall on these pets and their owners… And be with them, always.” The priest prayed and immediately poured holy water on several dogs and cats and their owners.
HEALING MASS
At seven at night, however, inside the church, Father Rolando Torres, from the Saint Mary parish of Bridgeport, together with members of the parish and the Charismatic Renewal group, sang, offered a Healing mass, amid songs of joy and special prayers asking the Holy Spirit for the health of those present and their families.
“Do not ask for anything that is material…ask Him, first! for the salvation of your soul. Ask Him to make you come closer to God and ask Him with faith because there is nothing that you do not ask God that, with faith. He will not give you. Why, where are two or more gathered in His name? God is present and listening healing! Freeing us! Cleansing us! said Father Rolando Torres who made the trip from Bridgeport to Norwalk to preach at the healing mass. Several people were in wheelchairs, or walking supported by their families and wearing artificial respirators.
As the mass coincided with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Father Rolando narrated how the saint of joy and poverty, as the world knows him, at the time of dying and seeing himself sick, asked his followers to help him called “friars” (younger brothers), who put him on the ground naked and left him alone to wait for his deceased sister. Reflection helped the priest explain the importance of accepting God’s designs and not being afraid of the order of life and nature but rather having faith.
