Come, commemorate Saint Francis of Assisi by having your furry, scaly, or feathery friends blessed after church services on October 8, 2023, in Kenmore Town Square, between the Hanger and Stoup Brewing. Fr. Jed will be blessing animals from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This event is free. We invite everyone in the community.

Please make sure you have your pets restrained or controlled. This keeps them and others safe. 

Kenmore Town Square is at  6728 Northeast 181st Street, about a half mile east of the church campus.

These are pictures from some previous animal blessings at the Redeemer campus and at Town Square.

Canticle of the Sun

Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honour, and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which you give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

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 Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those who will find Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.

St. Francis of Assisi

The Canticle of the Sun has been turned into a metrical hymn in the English language, “All creatures of our God and King.”

Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi (1181 or 1182-Oct. 3, 1226) was a thirteenth-century saint and founder of the Franciscan order. He was born in Assisi in central Italy and named Giovanni Bernardone. His father changed his name to Francesco, “the Frenchman,” after a visit to France.

Francis’s gradual conversion began in the spring of 1205. He gave generously to the poor and became devoted to “Lady Poverty.” Francis stressed absolute simplicity of life marked by poverty, humility, and contemplation of Christ. Others gathered around him.

• On February 24, 1209, the Order of Friars Minor (Fratres minores), sometimes called Minorites, was founded. In England they were popularly called Grey Friars because of the color of their habit.
• The Second Order of St. Francis, known as the Poor Clares, was established for nuns in 1219.
• The Third Order for lay men and women was founded in 1221.

Francis is especially remembered for his writing, “The Canticle of Brother Sun.” The Hymnal 1982 includes two hymn texts written by Francis, “All creatures of our God and King” (400) and “Most High, omnipotent, good Lord” (406-407).

The hymn text “Lord make us servants of your peace” (593) is based on a prayer attributed to Francis.

He died in Assisi. Francis is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on October 4.

Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment. Worship inspired by this Feast typically include pet blessings, prayers for environmental protection and conservation, and a call to a lifestyle based in simplicity and service of others. 

Church of the Redeemer

Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.

Church of the Redeemer is at 6210 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.