Eight hundred years ago, Francis of Assisi, one of Christianity\u2019s most universally beloved saints \u2014 venerated by Catholics and even some Protestants \u2014 breathed his last, and Oct. 4 has been celebrated as his feast day almost ever since.<\/p>\n
In 2026, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed Jan. 10 of this year through Jan. 10 of next year as the Year of St. Francis of Assisi to honor the 800th anniversary of the saint\u2019s transition to heaven (actually Oct. 3, 1226), and Lutherans and Episcopalians are joining the celebration. They embrace him as a shared Christian saint and a powerful model of devotion, humility and care for the poor.<\/p>\n
They include him on their liturgical calendars with a feast day, and many Protestant hymns and devotions draw directly from his legacy, such as the hymn \u201cAll Creatures of Our God and King\u201d (based on St. Francis\u2019s Canticle of the Sun) and the famous Peace Prayer commonly associated with him (\u201cLord, make me an instrument of thy peace\u201d).<\/p>\n
This past weekend, people all over the world celebrated him by doing something that was dear to his heart: being kind to animals. Specifically, Catholic churches and other organizations hosted blessings of the animals. I could have gone to any one of a dozen celebrations in Oakland alone, but I chose St. Vincent de Paul on San Pablo Avenue, and the whole atmosphere was mellow with a capital M.<\/p>\n
People were lined up around the block, waiting their turn with their cats and dogs, but I never heard an angry bark, not even a growl or meow. Clearly, the animals had gotten into the spirit of the occasion. This particular event was earmarked for pets of homeless people, which St. Francis would have loved.<\/p>\n
Several organizations pitched in to help, including Oakland Animal Services, Project Pet, Asian Health Services, Health Care for the Homeless, Maddie\u2019s Fund, Petco and St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County to provide free leashes, harnesses, pet food, toys and medical care, including vaccinations.<\/p>\n
Presiding over it all was Father Jayson Landeza, the indefatigable pastor of St. Benedict and Divine Mercy parishes and a chaplain for the Oakland Police and Fire departments; and the local branches of the FBI, Secret Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Landeza asked God to bless each animal and its person.<\/p>\n
The best part for me was that I got a chance to spend time with some really nice people and their pets, including Angel from San Leandro, who brought seven seriously cute Doberman\/husky puppies named Floppy, Fingers, Gloves, 4-Eyes and Canello. Their mom, Mocha, stayed home, though, for some richly deserved rest.<\/p>\n
I also met Kylie from Berkeley, who brought her pug, Valentine (\u201cthe best friend I ever had\u201d), and a woman named Malala, who brought her little dog, Whiskers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never loved a dog so much,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Two students at Chabot College named Ingrid and Lesly brought a cute whippet\/Chihuahua mix named Brunitta that didn\u2019t belong to either of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe belongs to a friend of ours who couldn\u2019t come today because she\u2019s taking an exam this afternoon,\u201d Ingrid explained.<\/p>\n
Chet from Oakland brought a 4-year-old dog named Flower that he adopted six months ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw her on my computer. She was going to be put down in a couple of days, so I knew I had to save her. I\u2019m awfully glad I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a wonderful day, and Father Jayson summed it up best: \u201cOur animals are there for us through everything we go through. They give us their love, their comfort and their companionship without asking for anything in return. It was beautiful to see these animals, who give so much to us, have the opportunity to receive some love and care themselves today.\u201d<\/p>\n
In memoriam: Finally, as long as I have a little space left, please permit me to add a personal note. Oct. 2 was the day that a great coach died. His name was Tony Reno, the football coach at Yale for 14 years until he took a medical leave of absence last year because of his deteriorating health.<\/p>\n
He beat Harvard seven of his final nine meetings against them in The Game, but it wasn\u2019t about winning; it was how he did it. His greatest talent was building character. He taught his players to aspire to be better people, saying it makes you a better player but it\u2019s also its own reward.<\/p>\n
The day after he died, his heartbroken son Dante, who is Yale\u2019s starting quarterback, went out and, despite his grief, threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns to beat Merrimack 41-24. His father had taught him never to let his teammates down, and he didn\u2019t. \u201cThis one\u2019s for you, pops,\u201d he posted online afterward.<\/p>\n