Feast of St Francis of Assisi in Australia

Many churches in Australia observe 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”.

Many churches dedicate a day to remember St Francis of Assisi (image pictured above).

©iStockphoto.com/Mark Strozier

What do people do?

Many Catholic churches in Australia celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on October 4. Notices about the event are posted in church bulletins and press releases to remember St Francis of Assisi on this day. Some churches open their doors for pet owners or caregivers to bring their pets in for a blessing. 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. Some animal societies also host special fundraising and awareness events that combine the Feast of St Francis of Assisi with World Animal Day, also held on October 4.

Public life

The Feast of St Francis of Assisi is not a nationwide public holiday in Australia.

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.

Symbols

Symbols associated with St Francis of Assisi are:

• Birds and animals.
• A bag of gold and rich raiment at St Francis’ (of Assisi) feet.
• A winged crucifix with five rays.
• Stigmata.
• A crown of thorns.
• A lighted lamp.
• A fiery chariot.
• Animals such as birds, deer, and a wolf.
• Fire.
• A skull.

Some of these symbols are seen around the time of the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

About Feast of St Francis of Assisi in other countries

Feast of St Francis of Assisi Observances

Other holidays in October 2013 in Australia

• Daylight Saving Time starts ―Sunday, October 6, 2013
• Labour Day ―Monday, October 7, 2013
• Labour Day ―Monday, October 7, 2013
• Labour Day ―Monday, October 7, 2013
• Eid-al-Adha ―Tuesday, October 15, 2013
• Halloween ―Thursday, October 31, 2013