Our pets are our family members. And dogs routinely go almost everywhere humans go. So it stands to reason that our animals also have patron saints. While St. Francis of Assisi is the best-known patron of animals, did you know there is also a patron saint for cats and another for dogs?
Four Patron Saints of Pets
St. Francis of Assisi is well known as a lover and protector of animals. His Feast Day is significant in Italy, with the Pope attending mass in St. Francis’ hometown. Americans also celebrate the day with Animal Mass. However, St. Anthony of Abbot is the traditional domesticated pet saint. Let’s look at some of the animal lovers throughout time.
When Is The Blessing Of The Animals?
Here in the United States, we celebrate the Blessings of the Animals in conjunction with St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day on October 4th. Italians, however, celebrate it much earlier in the year on the Feast Day of St. Anthony of Abbot, January 17th. For both occasions, parishioners line up with their beloved cats, dogs, hamsters, and even horses to receive a blessing.
Each January, the Italian Association of Livestock Farmers (AIA) builds an outdoor stable in Piazza Pio XII, in front of St Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The stable is open to public visitation of the horses, sheep, goats, cows, and even dogs housed there for St. Anthony’s Feast Day.
This popular day sees Animal Masses and processions across Italy, although most parishes celebrate on the nearest Sunday to January 17th. At the Vatican, an Animal Mass is said in the morning, followed by a blessing for all animals present. Then at noon, a horse procession featuring Italian police equestrian guards marches down Via Della Conciliazione.
St. Gertrude Of Nivelles: Female Patron Saint Of Cats
Gertrude was born around 628 AD and served as a Benedictine abbess (the female superior of a nun community). Gertrude and her mother founded the Abbey of Nivelles in present-day Belgium.
It is unclear why Gertrude became the patron saint of cats, but it seems to date from the 1980s. However, during the early 15th century Black Plaque in Germany, she was venerated as a protector against mice and rats. So perhaps that association combines with other folklore to make her the patron saint of cats.
I love cats, so don’t get me wrong, but I am chuckling a little upon realizing their patron saint was not known for a strong love of cats. Even though she was known for many great works, none were cat-related. It appears she wasn’t associated with them until many centuries after her death.
St. Francis Of Assisi, Patron Saint Of Animals And Ecology
St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1181 as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. He was a Catholic priest who became the founder of the Franciscans. As one of the patron saints of Italy, St. Francis is one of the most beloved and revered saints of the Catholic church.
St. Francis loved all of God’s creations and became the patron saint of animals and the environment. A member of Francis’ religious order, Thomas of Celano, wrote books about the saint’s life, who he says preached sermons to birds first, then to other animals as well. Wishing all of them to be in joyous communion with their maker, St Francis spoke to all animals. And they appeared to listen.
St. Francis insisted that all creatures are brothers and sisters under the same Almighty God. Whether caring for animals or lepers, he extended the same love. This desire for unity among God’s living creatures helped Francis negotiate peace between Muslims and Christians in the 5th Crusade.
We celebrate Animal Mass in October on Francis’ Feast Day in the US. The Humane Society has compiled a wonderful collection of stories about Francis and his love of animals. They note that his love of all creatures goes hand-in-hand with his religious faith.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals,
Watch over my pet
And keep my companion safe and healthy.
Amen.
St. Anthony Of Abbot, Patron Saint Of Domesticated Animals
St. Anthony of Abbot was born into a wealthy family around 250 AD. After his parents died, he followed the literal word of the Bible by giving away all his family’s land. Anthony kept moving further from civilization to rely solely on God. Since he spent much of his time in Egypt’s deserts with only the company of animals, Anthony eventually became their patron saint.
Worldwide, the Catholic community has a special mass on St. Anthony’s Feast Day in January. In cities and towns, people line up with their horses and larger animals to receive a blessing from the priest. He sprinkles holy water on the animals as they pass.
After the larger animals, here come the smaller pets: parakeets, bunnies, dogs, and cats. Although I find it challenging to imagine cats caring about any recognition, I think dogs would love this preening and parading. All dressed in their Sunday best, with ribbons and bows adorning their collars, dogs would love this special attention!
Saint Roch: The Patron Saint Of Dogs
St. Roch (pronounced “rock”) was a Frenchman born to nobility in 1295. After years of donating most of his money towards helping others, Roch caught the black plague. He went into a forest to suffer and die alone. But a hunting dog found him, licked his wounds to clean them, and brought him food.
After the dog helped heal Roch from the plague, he discovered that the dog’s owner was a local friend. The owner gifted the dog to Roch, and the two traveled together. Eventually, they were arrested as spies, and both dog and Roch were imprisoned. Other prisoners say that angels fed and kept the pair alive. However, Roch languished and died within the prison walls.
Some say the dog continued helping other prisoners by bringing them food. And some believe he continues to live on in the form of each of our beloved canine companions.
Prayer Blessings For All Domestic Animals
Catholic Rural Life is an organization doing what its name implies, promoting Catholic life in rural America. Their website lists several prayers of blessing for domesticated animals to pray in conjunction with St. Anthony’s Feast Day.
May these animals, Lord, receive Your blessing. Keep them sound in body, and through the intercession of Saint Anthony (the Hermit), may they be freed from every evil through Christ our Lord. Amen.
And another prayer of blessing for pets:
Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. So we ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.
A Prayer Blessing For Poultry
Another blessing from Catholic Rural Life:
O God, creator of all nature, among other various types of creatures, You were so kind as to produce birds from the waters (Gen. 1:20) for humanity’s use. Of these Noah, when he came out of the ark, offered You a pleasing holocaust. And when You had led Your people out of Egypt by Moses, Your servant, You divided the clean from the unclean and commanded that they should eat of them. We humbly beg of You to bless and sanctify the meat of these clean birds so that those who partake of it may be filled with Your abundant blessing and merit to be brought to the pastures of eternal life through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer For Cats
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, for Our Cats
O holy St. Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron Saint of Cats,
I ask you to pray that my sweet kitty(ies) will always be content,
energetic, curious, playful, and good-natured.
I pray my cat(s) will be a joy to me and those I love.
Carry my cat(s) to the throne of the Father and ask Him to bless my cat(s)
with long life and great happiness.
Pray, dear Saint, that my cat(s) stay free from illness and that my cat(s) always feel safe,
protected, and loved.
Thank you for asking blessings upon my cat(s).
Ask the Lord to pour out special graces upon all cats and cat owners.
May they bring great love to one another and live companionably in peace.
Amen.
Prayer For Dogs
Saint Francis of Assisi, for Our Pets
Good St. Francis, you loved all of God’s creatures. To you, they were your brothers and sisters. Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness. St. Francis, the Patron Saint of animals, watch over my pet and keep my companion safe and healthy. Amen.
A prayer for dogs who are sick:
Loving God,
You are merciful not only to humankind but to all creation.
It is because I know Your faithfulness that I appeal to You.
For behold, my beloved dog has grown ill.
He is such a blessing, Lord, and I cannot imagine
the pain he is in.
I beg You to have mercy upon us and
bring healing to his/her body.
Take away his/her pain
so that they are not suffering anymore.
Nurse them back to health by Your gentle Spirit.
Amen.
Conclusion, 4 Patron Saints For Animals
Like me, you may have thought there was only one animal patron saint. So what a surprise to learn that there are four! Of course, many others love animals, but these are the main four.
- St. Francis of Assis, Patron Saint of All Animals
- St. Anthony of Abbott, Patron Saint of Domesticated Animals
- St. Roch, Patron Saint of Dogs
- St. Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron Saint of Cats
These four individuals gave their lives to the service of God’s people. St. Francis, especially, believed that all of God created all His creatures to honor Him. So he preached to humans and animals alike, imploring them to lead lives of joyous communion with their creator.
Having someone look over our pets gives us comfort. Knowing the names of the patron saints aims our hearts towards that comfort.
