Culture & Entertainment · Philippines Bureau
Calapan celebrates St. Francis with blessing of beloved pets
Pet owners in Oriental Mindoro gathered at a cathedral Sunday to honor the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic Church's patron saint of animals and nature. The celebration marked the beginning of the Season of Creation with a special blessing for the community's furry companions.
LSN Philippines ·
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Dozens of pet owners brought their animals to Sto. Niño Cathedral on Sunday as the city observed the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, nature and ecology. The gathering reflected the growing recognition within the Catholic Church of the spiritual significance of creation and humanity's relationship with the natural world.
The celebration was part of the broader Season of Creation, an annual observance in the Catholic calendar dedicated to environmental stewardship and care for God's creation. Pet owners from across Calapan participated in the special Mass and blessing ceremony, bringing dogs, cats and other companion animals to receive the church's benediction.
The event underscored the importance of animal welfare and environmental consciousness within the local Catholic community. By bringing their pets to the cathedral, participants acknowledged the role of animals in their lives while honoring St. Francis's legacy as an advocate for all living creatures and ecological harmony.
The Feast of St. Francis, observed annually on October 4, has become an increasingly popular occasion for churches across the Philippines and beyond to celebrate their bonds with animals and recommit to environmental protection.