Feast of St Francis of Assisi

Many churches in the United States celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on October 4 each year. The feast commemorates the life of St Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. It is a popular day for pets to be “blessed”.

Is Feast of St Francis of Assisi a Public Holiday?

Although Feast of St Francis of Assisi is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Frances Xavier Cabrini Day in 2021, which is a public holiday in Colorado.

Some churches ask people to bring animal food or blankets to be donated to a local animal shelter around this time of the year. This event is not exclusive to Catholic churches, as some Anglican churches also have animal blessing services on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. The Feast of St Francis of Assisi gives many educators, caregivers and animal rights organizations an opportunity to teach children about endangered or abused animals and what can be done to help save these animals.

Public Life

The Feast of St Francis of Assisi is not a federal public holiday in the USA.

Background

St Francis, who founded the Catholic Church’s Franciscan order, lived in Italy during the late 12th and 13th centuries. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor and his willingness to minister to the lepers. He is remembered for his love for animals and nature.  St Francis died at Portiuncula, Italy on October 4, 1226.

Pope Gregory IX pronounced St Francis a saint in 1228. The pope also laid the foundation stone for the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi, Italy. The church, also known as Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, is a UNESCO world heritage site.

H/T Time and Date