by Nirmala Carvalho

For 15 years, Fr. Joseph D'Souza presided over the ceremony in memory of St. Francis of Assisi. Laudato sì "invites us to an safeguard ecology, to reflect on the relationship between humans and animals." The blessing appreciated even by non-Catholics. A special prayer for sick animals.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Dogs, cats, turtles and birds of various species: this year family pets in Mumbai received the special blessing from Fr. Joseph D'Souza, held yesterday in the church of the Sacred Heart of Santacruz West, in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

A tradition established by a priest 15 years ago, in memory of the love of St. Francis of Assisi for all creatures. This year the ceremony has a special value because, as Fr. D'Souza told AsiaNews, "it is inspired by Pope Francis who in Laudato sì  invites everyone, Christian or not, to have compassion for all creatures of God. The encyclical emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between the environment and animals, with the society we have built, for the care of all creation. "

The priest gave his blessing to 55 dogs, eight cats, 12 turtles, two cockatoos, a parrot and four sparrows. In addition to the traditional prayer, this year there was a special blessing for sick animals, such as the priest’s own dog, named "Wolfie", who suffers from heart problems. "The request for this special moment - he explains - was made by the owners of the pets. Many followers of different religions took part in the prayer, including those who do not own animals and many children, who were the most excited. "

Fr. D'Souza adds: "In addition to the blessing of the animals, the ceremony was an opportunity to talk about the encyclical letter of Pope Francis, in which the pope refers to animals and invites everyone to embrace a more human way of relating to other beings, living or not, to an 'alliance between humankind and the environment' [chap. II, para. V; Postal Code. VI, par. II - ed]".

Animal lovers, he concludes, "have listened to my explanation of the origin of the name “Laudato sì”, which refers to the Canticle of the Creation of St. Francis of Assisi, where the saint praises God for animals and all creatures . It has an intrinsic value, and the new encyclical asks us to think about an integral ecology, on the relationship between humans and animals. This represents a profound change in the way we have to consider animals".

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