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St. Francis of Assisi is known as patron of animals and ecology
By LINDA M. LINONIS
STRUTHERS
Members at Christ Our Savior Parish who love animals wanted a special place to recognize what God’s creatures add to human lives.
A committee of Pat and Guy Costello, Donna and Nick Marciano and Michele and Joe Restivo got together to make plans for a St. Francis of Assisi shrine at St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth St.
St. Francis, whose Feast Day is Oct. 4, is known as the patron saint of animals and ecology.
“Father [Bob Bonnot, pastor] sanctioned it and we went ahead,” Pat Costello said.
The Costellos donated a bench in honor of his brother, Fred, and the Marcianos donated the St. Francis statue. The shrine to St. Francis is located in front of the Great Hall; it’s landscaped with shrubs and perennials.
It will be the site of a pet blessing at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 4. Those whose pets can’t attend may bring photos. Other pet blessings also are scheduled in the Valley.
“I’ve loved my pets,” Donna Marciano said. “They just bring something important to your life.”
The Marcinos have a Border collie, Bella, who is 9 years old and have had other dogs.
The Costellos have two cats, Bella and Joey. Guy Costello joked that his home was “like a zoo” when their children were growing up. “Animals give you companionship and comfort,” his wife said. “It’s easy to talk to them.”
Nick Marciano, who spent 34 years with the Youngstown Police Department, said he appreciated a wagging tail that met him at the door when he would come home after work.
“I’d rather be in the company of dogs than some people,” he said.
Donna Marciano added, “Animals in general give you unconditional love, and they’re forgiving. I believe they are close to God because of it. They give me inner peace.”
And the dog lover added, “You know God spelled backwards is dog.”
Father Bonnot explained that St. Francis wanted to be a “great soldier” but became a “great lover of peace.” An illness made St. Francis realize his life was empty and that faith in God gave him fulfillment. He worked on restoring abandoned chapels.
“He found companionship in animals,” Father Bonnot said. “The main thing that stands out in St. Francis’ story is that he respected God’s creations and nature.
“All living things deserve respect,” said Father Bonnot, adding, “St. Francis had a great sense of that. He saw the reflection of divine presence.”
The pet blessing, Father Bonnot said, should encourage people to “respect God’s creatures as gifts.” “We worship the God of life so we should respect life in all forms,” he said.
Having said that, the pastor noted that all animals, and those raised for human food, should be treated humanely.
“They all are a reflection of God’s goodness and beauty.”
John Pasternack, a secular Franciscan who serves four parishes, will conduct the pet blessing Oct. 4 at St. Nicholas Church. He explained that St. Francis founded three orders — priests and brothers, Franciscan nuns who are cloistered and not cloistered, and secular Franciscans. The last group are laity who are “consecrated religious," he said, and “make a vow with the Lord.” He said he went through two years of formation as a postulaste, novice then full profession. Pasternack, who is married, made his profession May 20, 1986.
Pasternack said St. Francis promoted the practice that humans should be “stewards of this earth” and “protect it.” As stewards, he said, “we are responsible for their care.”
The pet blessing is a way to acknowledge animals’ roles in our lives.