From the Chaplains
Blessing of the Animals
One of the many things that I loved about the holidays was spending time with the smallest member of my family, McGonagall. McGonagall is a tiny tabby cat who spends her days lying curled up in the sun or watching the birds outside our windows.
She is an essential member of our family. We care for her and she cares, just as much, for us. She wakes us up in the morning when we have slept too long. She encourages us to play silly games. She invites us to lie in the sun with her and watch the world outside. She somehow knows when we are upset and cuddles up on our lap, despite not usually being a lap-cat. She is a wonderful presence in our lives, and we are blessed to have her.
Over the holiday’s many people acknowledged the blessings that pets give to their lives by taking their animals and pets to a ‘Blessing of the Animals’ worship service. These special days are held annually on, or close to, St Francis of Assisi Day which is celebrated on 4th October. There was even a Blessing of the Animals at Taronga Zoo, hosted by Uniting Church Minister, Rev. Bill Crews. You might like to have a look at a brief clip about by clicking on the image below.
St Francis of Assisi was the Italian son of a wealthy merchant who was born in 1181. As a young person he left behind his comfortable life to serve the poor. He taught that all of creation, including the animals, the oceans, the sky and the land was important and connected. His life and the movement that arose because of his service encourages us to consider how we are cared for, and can care for all things, including people, animals and the earth.
He has several prayers and poems attributed to him including the two below.
St Francis of Assisi, and the annual Blessing of the Animals remind me to recognise, appreciate and return the care that I receive from nature. This includes my four-legged family member of course, but also the ants that travel along the path in front of me that inspire me to be persistent and to work with other people to achieve tasks that seem impossible. It includes the birds that I see around the school, in particular the brush turkeys that make enormous piles of leaves into nests, and the magpies caring for their young. It includes all things that fly and dance and swim across the earth.
My prayer today is simply that you also notice and appreciate this care, and care in turn for all things.
Rev. Danielle Hemsworth-Smith
College Chaplain
Prayer for Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.
Rev. Danielle Hemsworth-Smith
College Chaplain