Doggie Treats for St. Francis Feast Day

By Lucia Ferrara

October 4 is the Feast Day for St. Francis of Assisi, the mystical mendicant who lived in Italy 800 years ago but still influences our lives today through the religious movement that started with him. Because of his legendary love of God’s creation, Francis is the patron saint of ecology and animals. Therefore, what better way to honor the saint on his feast day than to make and share doggie treats!

Below is the recipe for Pumpkin-Banana Doggie Treats. What the video to see how to make the treats and to learn a little bit more about St. Francis.

The blessing of farm animals and pets on the Feast of St. Francis is one of the traditions among St. Francis’ followers that continues to the present day. Across the world, all kinds of pets will be brought to church to receive a  blessing. (in some places priests will visit farms to bless the animals)

One way for us today to honor St. Francis is to support your local animal sanctuary or animal rescue shelter. Animal shelters always need donations of food, toys, blankets and cash. I’d encourage all of you to support your local animal shelter and tell them you’re doing it to honor St. Francis, the patron saint of animals.

Pumpkin-Banana Doggie Treats

• 1 cup pureed pumpkin (plain, no spices)
• 1 banana, mashed
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

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All the articles and videos in the Cooking and Spirituality Series can be found here.

Cooking as a spiritual practice

Prayer of Saint Francis

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.

+Amen.

[Lucia Ferrara, the Director of Hospitality at Precious Blood Renewal Center. Share your thoughts with Lucia or ask her questions using the form below or by sending an email to info@pbrenewalcenter.org.]

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