St. Francis founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. He is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment and with Saint Catherine of Siena is one of the two patron saints of Italy.

Many parishes in our diocese will be celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Feast Day: October 4th) by offering a Blessing of the Animals. Please see times for some of these locations below.

Please Note: All animals brought to the Blessing of the Animals must be crated, leashed, or otherwise restrained.

St. Francis of Assisi (Lancaster)
Saturday, October 6th, 10:30 a.m.
Patio in front of the church

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Saturday, October 6th, 2:30 p.m.
Please meet in front of the church

Holy Family Quasi-Parish
Saturday, October 6th, 3:00 p.m. 

All Saints Catholic Church
Saturday, October 6th, After the 9:00 a.m. mass
Courtyard

St. Edward Catholic Church            
Saturday, October 6th, 6:00 p.m. 
St. Edward's Plaza

Mary Immaculate Catholic Church       
Saturday, October 6th, 9:00 a.m. 
Plaza in front of the Church

St. Martin of Tours  
Saturday, October 6th, 9:00 a.m. 
Church office parking lot

St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plano
Saturday, October 6th, 10:30 a.m. 
Please meet in front of the school cafeteria

St. Anthony Catholic Church
Saturday, October 6th, 10:00 a.m.
The lawn in front of the church

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Thursday, October 4th, 6:00 p.m.
In front of the church

St. Joseph Catholic Church
Thursday, October 4th, 6:00 p.m.
Bell Tower Courtyard

St. Luke Catholic Church
Thursday, October 4th, 6:00 p.m.
Church Plaza

St. Pius X Catholic Parish
Thursday, October 4th, 6:00 p.m.
Church Plaza
 

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If your parish will offer a Blessing of the Animals,
please email Santos Martinez at with times and information to be included in this story. Please include the parish name and city, the date and time of the blessing, and the location where the blessing will be held.

(Example: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3811 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, Thursday, October 4th at 9:00 AM, (in the courtyard outside of the Community Life Center).