Glen Ridge Parish Celebrates St. Francis with Ancient Tradition and Blessing of Animals

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — The weekend of October 3–4 was filled with prayer, celebration, and more than a few four-legged visitors at St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church in Glen Ridge as the parish celebrated the feast of its patron, St. Francis of Assisi.

The celebration began Saturday evening with the Transitus of St. Francis, the traditional Franciscan liturgical commemoration of Francis' passage from this life into eternal life. Observed by Franciscans throughout the world on the eve of his feast day, the Transitus recalls the final hours of Francis' earthly life and his joyful embrace of what he called "Sister Death."

The weekend held particular significance for St. Francis parish. The parish is served by members of the Franciscan Community of Mercy, and St. Francis of Assisi is both the patron of the parish and an important inspiration for its ministry of welcome, compassion, and service.

On Sunday morning, the celebration continued at the parish's 11:00 a.m. Mass for the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. Parishioners were joined by many beloved animal companions who came to church with their human families for the annual Blessing of the Animals.

Following Mass, Bishop George Lucey, pastor of St. Francis, and Father Geety Reyes, associate pastor, continued the long-standing Franciscan tradition of blessing the animals.

Before offering the individual blessings, Bishop George and Father Geety reflected on the spirituality behind the tradition. For Francis of Assisi, creation was not simply something to be used or possessed. He recognized the presence and goodness of God throughout the created world and understood human beings, animals, plants, water, earth, sun, and sky as belonging to one interconnected family of creation.

Centuries before modern environmental movements, Francis spoke affectionately of "Brother Sun," "Sister Moon," and even "Sister Mother Earth." His vision continues to challenge Christians to recognize that care for creation and care for one another cannot be separated. Because of this witness, St. Francis has become known throughout the Christian world as the patron saint of ecology.

For the Glen Ridge parish that bears his name, the annual blessing is about much more than pets. It is an opportunity to give thanks for the animals who share our lives and to remember the responsibility human beings have to care for all God's creation.

A Catholic Community of Welcome

St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church is the cathedral parish of the American National Catholic Church (ANCC) and is a non-Roman Catholic parish serving Bloomfield/Glen Ridge/Montclair and the surrounding communities.

The American National Catholic Church is an independent Catholic jurisdiction committed to carrying forward the renewal and reforms initiated by the Second Vatican Council. The ANCC seeks to offer a Catholic sacramental life rooted in tradition while extending a particular welcome to people who may have felt excluded or marginalized elsewhere.

St. Francis is located on Ridgewood Avenue in Glen Ridge, and its parish community welcomes visitors and newcomers.

As another celebration of St. Francis comes to a close, his message remains strikingly relevant: we belong to one another, we belong to creation, and our response to the world around us should be marked by mercy, reverence, and peace.

Come and see who we are. St. Francis of Assisi invites our neighbors to worship with us and to participate in an active witness to the inclusive and extravagant love of Christ in a world in sore need of compassion.

Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 a.m.

St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church
Glen Ridge, New Jersey
www.stfrancisnj.org

Learn more about the American National Catholic Church at www.TheANCC.org.