We celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi every year on October 4.  St. Francis was an Italian monk born in the late 1100’s.  He began an order of monks who vowed to live peacefully and simply caring for all of God’s creatures.  St. Francis was especially fond of animals.  He and his order of brothers even allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey!  Today we give thanks and praise to God for our animals as we bless them, as our beloved companions.