Parishioners give thanks for animal companions on the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi
DETROIT — Dogs barked, tails wagged and families gathered at Holy Paws Dog Park on Oct. 4 as the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a blessing of the animals.
This year’s celebration carried particular significance as Oct. 4 marked the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, the beloved patron saint of animals and a saint known for his deep love and reverence for God’s creation.
As pets and their owners gathered for the afternoon blessing, Deacon Chris Jaskowiec of the cathedral welcomed those in attendance and reflected on the beauty of bringing God’s creatures together.
“God’s creatures are gathered here,” Deacon Jaskowiec said. “And we were one of those creatures as well. So how beautiful that we have this opportunity to get together.”
Fr. Mark Soehner, OFM, led the blessing, which invited those gathered to consider the relationship between humanity, animals and the rest of creation.
Reflecting on the life of St. Francis, Fr. Soehner noted that the saint did not view creation simply as a collection of things, but as something with which humanity shares a profound relationship.
St. Francis spoke of creation in familial terms, referring to the sun as “Brother Sun” and the moon as “Sister Moon,” Fr. Soehner said. He had a particular tenderness even for the smallest creatures, recognizing the value of everything God had created.
“He was a man who loved creation and did not see creation as a thing, but relatable,” Fr. Soehner said.
That same spirit was at the heart of the blessing at Holy Paws, where pets and their families gathered in the park that has become a place of friendship and community near the cathedral.
“Our pets become part of our families,” Fr. Soehner said during the service. “They greet us when we come home. They sit beside us when we’re lonely. They seem to know when we’re having a difficult day.”
Pets, he continued, can teach their owners something about “patience, loyalty, affection, and unconditional love.”
The blessing recognized that the companionship and joy animals bring into people's lives ultimately point back to their Creator.
“Today, we recognize that every good thing ultimately comes from God,” Fr. Soehner said.
The prayer that followed thanked God for the animals who share people’s homes and lives, asking for blessings upon both the animals and those entrusted with their care.
“Through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, teach us to recognize your presence, God, in all of creation,” the prayer said. “Help us to care for all that you have entrusted to us with gentleness, responsibility, and gratitude.”
The celebration builds upon the cathedral’s ongoing effort to make Holy Paws Dog Park more than simply a place for dogs to run and play. When the park opened in 2025, cathedral rector Fr. J.J. Mech described the project as being about “community, creation, and connection,” reflecting the cathedral’s desire to be a welcoming presence in the surrounding neighborhood.
The park, located near the cathedral in a formerly vacant lot, has become one part of the cathedral’s broader efforts to serve as a gathering place for the neighborhood.
For the Feast of St. Francis, that gathering place offered a fitting setting to remember a saint who saw God’s goodness reflected throughout creation. As the blessing concluded, the message was simple: the animals people welcome into their families are gifts for which they can give thanks, and caring for creation can lead people to a deeper appreciation of its Creator.
“May our love for your creation lead us to a deeper love for you, the creator of all things,” the prayer said.
