Sad News - Catzinger the Kitten

Mac posted the sad news on her blog here

Urgent Prayer Request for Jebby the Dog

From Oona:

Our lovely boxer girl Jebby is dying. We know we can not cure her cancer but we were told she could go into remission with good quality life for the next 6-12 months so we started on chemo.

The first 4 wks went so well. The next 2 went okay. But last 2 she has taken a terrible nose dive. We see her not eating, so weak she can barely stand and with no energies left but to pant…

Yet her little stub wags her eyes were hopeful and happy – until last Week. Then this week we discovered after a couple of trips that she Has had a BAD UTI all along! Well, we are treating now with Baytril hoping her energy and will to live will return as the pain and awfulness of her cystitis infection recedes.



Please ask god for a remission from cancer, a response to treatment That can return her to some good quality life for the next few months.

Over the holiday season (jan) we wanted to take her home to say goodbye to our family.

Please ask God to grant us this request. That she may recover, and be well enough to enjoy the holiday season with us, and our families.

Thank you so much

Prayer Request for Bob the Pet

From Janet:

We had just brought Bob home after adopting him, and he ran out when the door was opened on 10/16. I have been searching and searching. Please pray that someone kind will take him in and then see one our Lost posters and call us.

Prayer Request for Catzinger the Kitten

Mac posted on her blog that her new kitten seems to be very sick.

Mulier Fortis - Worried.

Urgent Prayer Request for Cesar the Dog

Please pray for my friend's best friend, a dog named Cesar...he has been diagnosed with cancer and is having surgery this Friday. May St. Francis be with him and provide him a blessing in the form of a full recovery. God bless. Amen

Prayer Request for Murdoc the Dog

From Heidi:

Please pray for Murdoc he is an Irish terrier and is very sick. He is in the hospital and the doctors don't know what is wrong with him. He loves to make people happy and laugh when they are sick or sad, so please help doc get well. Thank you!

Updated Urgent Prayer Request - Panther the Cat

From Heidi: He was unable to pee this morning and cried in pain when I tried to feel his bladder so I took him to the vet.

Vet found his bladder WAS full and they gave him some gas and had to catheterize him to get the urine out. They are going to keep him overnight with the cathteter in and put him on Valium as well as his prazosin and see if that helps but if NOT he will have to be put down as he, at this time, cannot pee on his own.

PLEASE Pray and Pray hard. HE does NOT deserve this as he is a SWEETHEART! I want to die myself if I lose him!

Prayer Request Shamus the Cat

From Leah:

My 3 year old cat Shamus ran away this past sunday. I am heartbroken and can barely sleep at night. Tonight I will be praying to saint anthony for my cats safe return home. I hope for some more prayers from those animal lovers that can feel my pain. Thank you everyone and Saint Anthony

Good News - Toes the Cat

From Tracy:

Hi,
I'd like to thank everyone who have been praying for Toes, She's improving and getting stronger every day.
Thank you all so much.

God Bless,

Urgent Prayer Request for Rocky the Dog

From Suzanne and Family:

I would like to request pray for our dog Rocky who is having his leg amputated tomorrow Thursday due to cancer in the bone. I always say a pray each night to God but now would like some help in having more prayers said to bring Rocky through surgery and to be more comfortable for the time he has left with us.

It has been a very hard decision and still so scared it is the right thing, feel sick to my stomach.

Thank you,

Urgent Prayer Request for Chloe the Cat

From Teresa:

Please help me. My cat CHLOE that I adopted only 2 and half months ago decided to bolt from the safety of her home on October 18th @ 7 am. She was adopted as a hardship and was going to be put to sleep. She was deemed unadoptable because she has behavior problems. The poor cat grew up for a whole year inside the small confines of a cage. She never knew love or human compassion. I took her adopted her because I could see the sweetness in her sad face. I fell in love with her. So I had a lot of patience and kept talking to her . Finally she was starting to warm up to me and my hubby. But then when i was on my way to work and he was home Monday she bolted right out the door. And he couldnt run after her cuz he is disabled himself. I had to rush home from work which is 45 minutes away (to add to it I got fired for leaving). and there has been no sign of her. I have been calling her. i set her things outside. I put up flyers and also put her up on Home again site, she has a microchip. But CHLOE wont go to anyone, she doesnt come to me, I only have GOD and prayers to turn to now. I have faith and feel she will be with me again. But I am grief stricken and have been crying for 3 days non stop. I hope you can help. God Bless and sincere thanks

Good News on Zap the Cat

From Becky:

I must tell you that I went into the woods this afternoon and there she was on a log just like she was waiting for me

My faith is very deep and once again the power of prayer is beyond words. I took the situation of our family cat that was lost and used it

As a way to explain to my son to help him understand the worry a parent has when a child is late and doesn’t call or text.

Thank you for the prayers and for your website as it helped me find comfort while I looked for Zap. I also learned to look up for a cat and that is who I found her

That you so much as your website is a gift from God.



Thank you ,

Prayer Request for Coco the Dog

Hi Friends: Can you please keep my dog in your prayers. I noticed a lot of blood clots in her urine. She is on antibiotics for UTI. I hope that is all it is not something more serious. Thanks so much!

Prayer Request for Precious the Cat

From Natasha:

My cat Precious has disappeared from our home 3 nights ago. We have searched everywhere for the last few days but she's just vanished.

Please pray for her, we desperately want her to come home she is very much missed by everyone.

Thank you

Update on Didley the Dog

From Debbie:

Thank you for your prayers. He (Didley) seems a little better today no bleeding from his eye but still a little from his nose and is not eating. His brother is watching over him....sitting and laying by him..it's very sweet.

Prayer Request for Zap the Cat

From Becky:

My kitty Zap got out of the house last night I almost caught her but she ran into the woods behind the house

We have searched all day and been praying for her safe return and that she is safe

Please pray for our Kitty Zap

Thank you

Urgent Prayer Request for Didley the Dog

From Debbie:

Please pray for my redbone Didley. He is bleeding from his nose and eye, we don't have the extra money to take him to the vet. I fear that he has cancer and will die during the night. He is such a good and sweet dog.

Prayer Request for Belle the Cat

From Angel:

Please send a pray up for our Belle Kitty. She is 3 years old and pretty much stays in our room with us. She has suddenly become ill with fever and will not eat. I got her all the medical care I am able it is up to God now. She is a good and loving friend. Please pray for her recovery. Thank-you

Prayer Request for Caesar the Cat

From Wendy:

Your blog has brought me new HOPE! My Beloved,little white,Persian cat... CAESAR...snuck out of the house 3 weeks ago. I miss him dearly and worry about him 24 Hrs every day!! This experience has brought me closer to God, as I pray constantly for his safe,speedy, return.I have done all in my power to find him, and have to leave this in the hands of the lord. Please pray we are reunited soon!!THANK-YOU

Video of Injured Baby Hummingbird Being Nurtured Back to Health

The man who found this tiny bird lying on the sidewalk took it home hoping to nurse it back to health.

He took the little fledgling outside, where it perched on a stick in his hand. He took it around to the flowers to get nectar. The poor little bird seemed to have a broken wing.

As the man sat with the bird cupped in his hands, he was stunned to see the mother hummingbird hovering nearby. She approached the man carefully, first flying around his head. The baby bird called out to its mother, and the mama bird came in closer.

You won’t believe what happened next ...

source.

Prayer Request for Helen the Cat

From Lisa:

Please pray for Helen. She had surgery for tumors and was doing well. She then developed an infection and has to be restiched on Thursday if all goes well.

Good News! - Keevah McCool the Cat

From Ellen:

Good morning!
After looking for over two weeks, I am happy to announce that the Philadelphia SPCA called me on Friday afternoon to let me know they have our Keevah! The chip worked and so did all of the prayers and positive thoughts we received from you and the people who read your website. Someone turned Keevah into the SPCA from 10 miles away!! She is now home safe and sound with her blind sister and her 3 other pals and we couldn't be happier!

I want to thank you all again for your prayers and warm wishes! I have said my thanks to God and to all the saints for their intercession especially St. Francis, St. Anthony & St. Jude.

I hope you all have happy endings like we have!

All My Best,

Prayer Request for Charlie the Cat

From Charlie's Owner:

Please pray for my cat Charlie, missing since 04/10/10. He is an 18 month old neutered male and has never wandered out of the garden before. We live in the country surrounded by many fields and have searched extensively but there is no trace. I have distributed fliers throughout the neighbourhood but nobody has seen him. I am lost without him

Prayer Request for Katie the Dog's Owner

From Alisha:

Our dog, Katie, went to be with the angels tonight. She has been suffering with various health conditions for a very long time, some of which included being both deaf and blind. When she went outside a few hours ago, she unexpectedly fell into our pool and we lost her. Our family is having an absolutely horrendous time trying to cope/deal with this loss and we are all in desperate need of prayers. Most importantly, though, I ask that you please say a prayer for our sweet baby, Katie.

We love you, Katie. RIP<3

Please keep Alisha and her family in your prayers as they suffer the tragic loss of their beloved pet.

Prayer Request for Mila the Dog

From Melanie:

i came across your wonderful site as i was doing a google search for the patron saint of dogs. our little girl mila is a 13yr old jack russell who has endured 2 surgeries and so many other ailments in the past year. in january she had to have surgery to remove scar tissue blocking her bile duct, she's had pancreatitis and is being treated for cushings disease. she recently had her gallbladder removed and they did a biopsy of her liver and there was a bacteria infection so she had to remain on IV antibiotic therapy for 5 days extra. that was 2 weeks ago.
the antibiotics were really strong, and because she was borderline renal disease, we fear her kidneys are failing. she hasn't been well the past two days and we are waiting for the results but it's thanksgiving weekend here, and we won't know until tuesday.
we love her so much and want to do whatever we can to help her, but we also don't want her to suffer as she has been through so much this year already.
if you could please pray for her that she will get better and also for us, for strength. i thank God that i was chosen to be her mom and am so thankful for everything she has taught me through the years. even at 13 she is still a ball of energy when she's not feeling sick and it breaks our heart that these things keep happening to her.


thank you so much -

Urgent Prayer Request for Toes the Cat

From Tracy:

Our beloved cat Toes is very sick, and she need's all the help and prayers she can get. I am hoping that you could say a prayer for her and add her to your prayer list. We lover her so much.

Thank you and God Bless.

Prayer Request for Ben the Cat

From Heidi:

He is my 7 year old Spotted Tabby kitty boy and he was scoped today and can't come home as the Vet said he could.

NOW Vet says maybe Friday.

PlEASE Pray he CAN come home on Friday and that his biopsy reports show nothing or nothing serious wrong so he can live a happy and healthy live with me and his siblings!

Update and Good News on Coconut the Dog

From Pam:

I wanted to thank you so much for praying for Coconut. He had his surgery on Sept. 10 and just today he was actually out running in the front yard! His one leg doesn't work so great but it is more than I ever could have hoped for. He's figured out how to use both back legs together and he gets along pretty darn good that way... Thanks again and may God bless you.

Urgent Prayer Request for Frisco the Dog

From Cat:

I have asked for prayers on your list several times since Frisco our Golden who was diagnosed with cancer. Each time he has done better and I know my prayers were answered.

A few weeks ago Frisco was diagnosed with a lesion behind his eye. It was not cancerous - so he was put on an antibiotic. About a week later - his appetite was diminishing and he appeared to have developed a sinus infection (he has had chemo treatment for nasal cancer). We were given another antibiotic and he seemed better, but his appetite has not been good and he has been eating about half of what he normally does.

Today, he threw up this morning and has not wanted anything but water. I gave him a medication for nausea, but it hasn't helped.

We have an appointment tomorrow with the oncologist. I would like to ask for prayers that there is something else we can do -and that we see a clear path to it. If this is not the case - then please pray that I am able to make the right choices for my beloved pet so that he does not suffer.

Thank you!

Urgent Prayer Request for Tiggy the Cat

From Phil (Chase the Cat's friend):

My supervisor at work has a cat that was attacked another cat. His name is Tiggy. Tiggy has only 3 legs, but gets around very well. The other cat bit Tiggy in the neck. This resulted in some nerve damage that affected the side with the single leg. If I heard correctly, she needs to give him IV solutions and what ever else he will need to get better. Could you please say a prayer for Tiggy so he can get better.

Thank you,

Update on Dudley the Dog

From Scott: I want to give you an update on Dudley our Golden Retriever. Yesterday I said many prayers all day long for Dudley and offered my petitions throughout the day to Blessed Seelos, on his Feast Day, asking him to intercede for a miraculous healing for Dudley.

Last night our vet told us that the aspirate that was taken last week during his abdominal ultrasound was not an adequate sample to indicate what the large mass was (that was seen in the ultrasound) near Dudley`s spine. This was disappointing news as we had been waiting on tinder hooks all week long, wondering what the news was going to be and if a treatment would be possible. There are various reasons why the aspirate was not adequate, some of which are too detailed to explain here. We are now facing a new option of having another ultrasound for Dudley. This time a different kind of needle would be used which actually takes a piece of the mass into the needle, assuring that there would be cells present this time. This will then be sent off once again to the lab for analysis, which would hopefully give a more accurate indication of what kind of mass this is. We were told that there is some risk to Dudley with this type of biopsy, since the mass is internal, so a blood test has to be done prior to see if his blood will coagulate. If his blood will coagulate the risks are reduced somewhat. If we choose not to do this more aggressive biopsy, then there is no option for treatment to see if this mass can be reduced. We are wanting to do what is best for Dudley but we are once again feeling so unsettled to be faced with making these decisions.

Our prayer request is first and foremost for a miraculous healing for Dudley, and that he will be able to live longer with us in this world. If a miracle is not possible, we are asking for clarity to make the right decision for Dudley. If that decision turns out to be going ahead with another ultrasound, we are praying that nothing will harm Dudley when this more aggressive biopsy is taken and he will survive this process. We also ask for prayers that the results of the biopsy will indicate what this mass is and that there will be a successful treatment for it. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers, they are really helping Dudley.

Dudley is otherwise in good spirits and is not currently in any pain. His back right leg however, is becoming more impaired each day because of the nerves that are affected by this mass.

I will continue to ask Blessed Seelos for his intercession. Thank you again, for letting me post our request on this wonderful blog-site, and please be assured of my prayers for all of you and your beloved companions.

With every blessing,

Feast of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, CSsR

As a Confessor:

"He was a much sought after confessor.  Many eyewitnesses testified that he always had a long line of penitents."

"I chose Father Seelos as a confessor, for I, as well as others, looked upon him as a living saint. His confessional at the entrance of the church was closely besieged on all sides. I had to wait about two hours until my turn came." - Brother Neithart

"I habitually went to confession to him...He was a very good confessor, was kind towards sinners, and he had a power that others did not possess." - Valentine Winheim

"I found Father Seelos patient, affable and full of charity. I never left the confessional without consolation and I desired to go to confession to him more than to anyone else. I felt he could read my heart. Sometimes he chided me but his chiding did not depress me but strengthened and consoled me." - Joseph Herzog, a penitent from Baltimore

On Blessed Seelos' Sanctity and Powers of Healing:

  "The parishioners dearly loved him and all were full of praise for him.  He seemed to celebrate Mass with greater devotion than others ordinarily manifested.  As a confessor I found him patient, affable and full of charity and I wanted to go to him to confession more than to others..."

..."Seelos was grave and austere as becomes a priest. Small talk was foreign to him, and no one ever spoke of foolish things to him. He was nevertheless more affable and likable than any other priest I knew. He was always happy, and the spirit of Christ seemed to rule and govern his life." - Joseph Herzog

"I heard everybody speaking of him as a very holy man." - Therese Eckstein, later a Sister of Charity.

Father Seelos healed the husband of a devout Catholic woman. The husband was non-Catholic and ridiculed his wife's religion. The husband had a "suppurating ulcer" on his face. Father Seelos placed his hands on the man's face and prayed. The ulcer disappeared. The man not only stopped ridiculing the Catholic Church but later converted.

Father Seelos also healed an 11 year old girl from convulsions when no one else could help her.

"True happiness consists only in our conformity with our Savior - now to suffer with Him in patience, meekness and perseverance unto death - in order to be glorified with him in true life, true happiness and everlasting joy." - Father Seelos

First Class Relic of Bl. Seelos

Photo Source: Gefroh Family

On Father Seelos Approaching Death:

..."If God demands the sacrifice of my life, willingly will I make it. The Will of God and my own soul are dearer to me than all the souls in the world." - Father Francis X. Seelos

After his death, many miracles have been attributed to him, according to Bob and Penny Lord in the episode of Bl. Seelos on Super Saints (which airs on EWTN. It seems that after Mother Angelica suffered a severe stroke in 2001, prayers for Blessed Seelos' intercession were offered. After Mother came out of surgery, the doctor declared that one person had survived that kind of brain surgery and that person was Mother Angelica!

On our Prayers for Our Pets blog, Blessed Seelos is one of our patron saints. You can see why after you read the following:

VETS RECOMMEND SEELOS
One night, our chihuahua puppy came down with a bad eye problem. The lower lid of his right eye was swollen and hanging down, appearing like a large red gel sac. We immediately took him to the pet emergency clinic.

The vet did not give a very good prognosis: the eye could be lost. We prayed prayed to Fr. Seelos. His eye was saved, but he would have to take steroids & eyedrops to bring the swelling down. Having had bad reactions to medicines in the past, we begged Fr. Seelos to cure his eye by morning. The next morning his eye was completely normal. When the clinic called the next day for a check up, they were astounded that his eye was normal.

They took Fr. Seelos’ name, and said that they would start recommending the sick pets to his care. While at the pet emergency clinic, I was approached by a lady, distraught at the condition of her cat who was dying of kidney failure. She asked me to pray that he would be cured, while her husband was trying to get her to accept the fact that their pet would have to be put down. I called a friend of mine,
and had her post the request in the Seelos.org guestbook. Twenty minutes later the vet called the woman in, who shortly came back out crying, “It’s a miracle, he’s o.k.” Thanks to Fr. Seelos, there was no more sign of kidney failure.
Sr. Mary Michael, CMSS
Spokane Valley, Washington

Quotes Source: Cheerful Ascetic: The Life of Francis Xavier Seelos, C.SS.R. by Mihael J. Curley, C.Ss.R.

Urgent Prayer Request for Darla the Dog

From Donna:

Darla needs your prayers. She is a 4 month old boxer puppy that went blind 3 weeks ago. Vets think she has GME , an immune deficiency disease that progressively gets worse. She may have only have weeks to live. As a dog, God created her to spread unconditional love to everyone she meets. We need her to continue her purpose in a world that needs lots of love. Please pray for our precious puppy that has already touched so many lives. God needs to take away her illness and restore his sight. Thanks so much for listening to our prayers.

We ask Bl. Seelos whose feast day is today, to intercede for Darla and all our seriously ill pets.

New Orleans Archbishop Aymond: Our pets teach us to love as our Creator loves

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4)always reminds us about the emotional value of our pets. Is there any theology involved? St. Francis reminds us that animals are of God’s creation. They don’t have a soul or a spirit as we do, but they are of God’s creation. That’s why Francis talks about Brother Sun and Sister Moon. He found the wisdom and the creativity of God in all creatures. He believed that as we get to know God’s creative work and become friends with and close to God’s creative work, we also come to know the Creator. God can speak to us in many different ways, even through the simplicity and the dependency of an animal, so we ask God to bless them. Whatever the pet is – a dog, cat, bird, fish or even a snake – it gives us an opportunity to see God’s creation, to think beyond ourselves.

It’s kind of amazing that pets can teach us to be more sensitive to human beings. In their great need, they show us how to be attentive to others. For the most part, they offer us unconditional love and presence.

The entire article can be found:

Article
continuation of article, Page 13
Thanks Mary Jane for sharing!

A Franciscan Blessing for Our Animal Friends

The following blessing was shared by Father Vincent Inghilterra, a Franciscan. I had asked him to bless our pets here at this blog.

Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is a wonderful and special gift from You. We now ask You to grant our special animal companions your Fatherly care and healing power to take away any suffering they have. Give us, their human friends, new understanding of our responsibilities to these creatures of yours.

They have trust in us as we have trust in You; We are on this earth together to give one another friendship, affection, and caring. Take our heartfelt prayers and fill Your ill or suffering animals with healing Light and strength to overcome whatever weakness of body they have.

( Here mention the names of the animals needing prayer )

Your goodness is turned upon every living thing and Your grace flows to all Your creatures. Grant to our special animal companions long and healthy lives. Give them good relationships with and if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. Grant our petitions through the intercession of good St. Francis of Assisi, who honored You through all Your creatures.

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Prayer Request for Keevah McCool the Cat

From Ellen: Can you please post a prayer for my missing cat Keevah McCool? She has been missing since 9/22/10 when she slipped out a 3 inch opening in the basement window. My husband and I are out of our minds with worry and have put out over 120 posters within the region. We have met many kind people but also have encountered some not so kind.

I have been praying incessantly to St. Francis, St. Anthony and St. Jude and hope that they are listening to my pleas.

I did receive a phone call this morning from a woman who lives on a block exactly 4 blocks away from me (we live in South Philly.) She said she was out walking her dog down my way and saw the posters of Keevah. She called me and told me that she is almost positive she has been feeding Keevah in the mornings and evenings for close to two weeks. My husband and I went to her house right away and when I showed her a picture of Keevah she said, "that's her!" Her daughter has also agreed that is her as well. I am praying and praying that they are right and it is Keevah. She is going to call me the minute she sees her again so that I can make it up there and, hopefully, if it is her, bring her home.

We have 5 rescues and one of them is Keevah's sister, Bugsy. Bugsy is blind and relies on Keevah. Since Keevah has been gone, Bugsy will not leave my side and all of the other cats are barely eating. Please help with prayers that this woman has found her and it won't be long until she is home again where she belongs.

Thank you and God Bless.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

 "If thou wilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor and follow Me...."Take nothing for your journey, neither staves nor scrip, neither shoes nor money."...If any man will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me."  Then said St. Francis to Bernard, "Behold the counsel that Christ giveth us.  Go, therefore, do faithfully what thou has heard, and blessed the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath deigned to reveal to us the life evangelical." - from the Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi Chapter Two:  Of Friar Bernard Quintavalle, the First Companion of St. Francis, and How He Came to Forsake the World to Follow Him.  And Likewise How Silvester Forsook the World.

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Francis was very hurt that Brother Bernard had not answered his calls.   In fact, Brother Bernard was so engrossed in prayer, he did not hear Francis calling him three times.  Francis then went off by himself.  He proceeded to prostrated himself in prayer asking God to reveal to him why Brother Bernard had ignored his calls.  God said to Francis:   

"O poor little one, wherefore art thou troubled?  Ought a man to forsake God for His creature?  When thou didst call, Friar Bernard was united with Me, and therefore could neither come to thee nor answer thee. Marvel thou not if he could not respond, for he was so lifted out of himself that of thy words he heard none..."   Francis to Brother Bernard:  "I command thee by holy obedience that, in order to punish the arrogance and rashness of my heart, though shalt now, even as I lay me supine on the ground, set one foot on my neck and the other on my moth and so pass thrice from one side to the other, reviling and crying shame on me; and especially shalt thou say, "Lie there, churl, son of Peter Bernadone! whence cometh such pride to thee, though that art so vile a creature?"... - Chapter Three: How St. Francis, by Reason of an Evil Thought he Had Cherished Against Friar Bernard, Commanded the said Friar that he Should Treat on his Neck and Mouth. 

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"O good youth, prithee give them to me, lest birds so gentle, that chaste, humble, and faithful souls are compared to them in the scriptures, fall into the hands of cruel men who would kill them."..."O my little sisters, ye simple doves, innocent and chaste, wherefore suffer yourselves to be caught?  Now will I rescue you from death, and make nests for you, that ye may be fruitful and multiply, according to the commandments of our Creator."  - from Chapter Twenty-two: How St. Francis Tamed the Wild Turtle Doves, and Took into the Friary the Youth Who had Snared them but Had Given them Over.

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..."Come hither friar wolf; I command thee in the name of Christ that thou do hurt neither to me nor to any man."... - from Chapter Twenty-one: Of The Most Holy Miracle that St. Francis Wrought When He Converted the Fierce Wolf of Gubbio.

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Painter - Gerrit van Honthorst

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Painter Annibale Carracci

St. Francis in Ecstasy by Carravacchio

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Death of St. Francis by JoséSantiago Garnelo y Alda

...for when St. Francis came to die, after the manner of the holy patriarch Jacob, with his devout children standing around him, all sorrowing and weeping at the departure of so loving a father, he asked, "Where is my first-born?  Come nigh to me, my son, that my soul may bless thee ere I die."  Then Friar Bernard said secretly to Friar Elias, that was vicar of the Order, "Father, go to the right hand of the saint that he may bless thee."  And Friar Elias drew nigh to his right hand, and St. Francis, that had lost his sight through excess of weeping, placed his right hand on Friar Elias' head, and said to Friar Bernard, "God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ bless thee with all spiritual and celestial blessings.  Thou are the first born, chosen in this holy Order to give evangelical example, and to follow Christ in evangelical poverty, for not only gavest thou thine own substance and didst distribute it wholly and freely to the poor for love of Christ, but though didst offer thyself as to God in this Order, a sacrifice of sweetness.  Blessed be thou therefore by our Lord Jesus Christ and by me, poor little in, His servant, with blessings everlasting, walking and standing, watching and sleeping, living and dying.  Let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings, and he who curseth thee go not unpunished.  Be thou lord over thy brethren and let all the friars obey thy commands, whosoever thou wilt, let him be received into this Order; let no friar have lordship over thee, and be it lawful to thee to go and to abide wheresoever it may please thee."  - Chapter Six: How St. Francis Blessed the Holy Friar Bernard and Appointed him to be his Vicar on Earth When that he should Pass from this Life. 

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Excerpts from the Little Flowers of Saint Francis of Assisi, The Peter Pauper Press, Mount Vernon.

Three of Our Patron Saints Have Feast Days Approaching

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St. Francis of Assisi - Feast Day October 4th

If you live near a Franciscan run church, they may be blessing animals that day.

The above painting is of St. Francis and the wolf at Gubbio. I thought you would be interested in reading the story. You can find it here.
Note:  The above link has been replaced with the one from American Catholic.

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, CSsR. - Feast Day October 5th

To read why we ask for Blessed Seelos' intercession click here and scroll down to "Vets Recommend Seelos"

St. Martin de Porres - Feast Day November 3rd.

In the picture you can see there is a mouse, a cat and a dog with St. Martin de Porres. To read about how St. Martin and the mice, click here.

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Most Recent Update on Dudley the Dog

From Scott:

Today Dudley, our Golden Retriever, had an abdominal ultrasound done which revealed a large 8 x 5 cm (3 x 5 in.) mass that is pressing on his lower vertebrae and in the pelvic canal. This is causing him to not have proper mobility in his hind legs as well as some pain, as it effects the nerves in the spinal cord. It appears that this is not a lymph gland that is swollen as was originally thought, but some kind of a tumor -- possibly a transitional cell carcinoma. We were hoping that if it had to be anything it would be lymphoma which has fairly good response to treatment but it doesn't look like this is lymphoma. This was difficult news for us to receive. We now have to wait for the lab results to tell us what this is and then hopefully a plan for treatment will begin that will shrink this mass and relieve some of the pressure on his spine and therefore ease his pain. We hope and pray this will be possible and we are requesting prayers that this mass will be reduced in size; that it will be slow growing and that it will not metastasize anywhere else inside him. We are still holding on to hope and pray that we can have more time with him in this world. He is such a good and gentle soul and our hearts ache when we imagine life without him. But we are trying to stay focused on the present and we're very grateful that he is here with us now and we will do all we can to keep him comfortable.

Thank you for your prayers and thanks to those who offered comments for our earlier request. They are very much appreciated. This Sunday I will be leading a St. Francis Day, Blessing of the Animals service and will be remembering all of you and your specific requests in my prayers.

With every blessing,