Patron Saint of Animals

The most famous Patron Saint of animals is of course St. Francis of Assisi. However, there have been many more with a love for animals and some who are patrons of specific animals like dogs, cats, horses or birds. Some of those other saints are St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Philip Neri, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Blaise, St. Rocco, St. Eligius and St. Gertrude of Nivelles.

St. Francis of Assisi was born in the 12th century in Assisi, Italy, and underwent a profound spiritual conversion and dedicated his life to imitating the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. St. Francis is often remembered for his humility, compassion, and his connection with the natural world.

St. Francis's affinity for animals is one of the reasons he is celebrated as the patron saint of animals. He saw all of creation as reflecting the beauty and presence of God, and he believed that animals, as part of that creation, deserved kindness and respect. Stories from his life depict instances of him preaching to birds and befriending animals, considering them his brothers and sisters in creation. One story tells of him persuading a wolf to stop attacking the town’s people of Agobio if they promised to take care of the wolf for the rest of his life.

A great homage to animals by St. Francis was his Canticles of the Creatures, one of the first great Italian poems, where he addressed them as brothers and sisters. It shows that he truly believed all animals were part of God’s great creation and they help lift our hearts upward to Him.

The feast day of St. Francis, celebrated on October 4th, often involves a "blessing of the animals" ceremony, where pets and animals are brought to churches to receive a blessing. This tradition symbolizes the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of caring for the creatures with whom we share the world.

St. Anthony of Egypt, also known as St. Anthony the Great or St. Anthony the Abbot, is one of the early “Desert Fathers”. He lived during the 3rd and 4th centuries in the deserts of Egypt, dedicating his life to asceticism, prayer, and solitude. His journey into the wilderness and his austere lifestyle inspired many, and he is recognized as one of the pioneers of Christian monasticism.

St. Anthony's connection to animals and his association with being a patron saint of animals are not as pronounced as in the case of St. Francis of Assisi. While he is not primarily known for his interactions with animals, there are stories that highlight his compassion for all of God's creation. One of the most famous and attributing to why he is seen with a pig in art is the story of when during a sea voyage, a sow placed an ailing piglet at his feet. With the Sign of the Cross, the Saint restored its health, forging an unbreakable bond between the animal as the piglet remained his constant companion thereafter. Hence his connection is focused more on domesticated animals like pets and livestock.

St. Philip Neri is a prominent figure in Catholic history known for his joyful spirit, dedication to serving others, and founding the Congregation of the Oratory. He played a crucial role in the Counter-Reformation, focusing on spiritual renewal and fostering a personal relationship with God through prayer and community.

When encountered on the street, he would affectionately pat people's cheeks, asking how they were, leaving them so filled with happiness that they lost their bearings. For some, the playful tugs of their hair or ears by him brought immense delight. Even in times of sorrow or confusion, standing by Philip's door was enough to soothe troubled souls. His presence evoked boundless trust and affection, making him the go-to source of comfort for all. He skillfully used gentle humor to convey rebukes and conceal his miracles.

Philip held a deep affection for animals and detested witnessing any form of cruelty towards them. For instance, if someone captured a mouse, he would request that it not be harmed but rather released to a safe location. He abstained from consuming meat and experienced distress when passing by a butcher's shop, aware of the fate awaiting the animals. He didn't hesitate to reprimand anyone he observed needlessly mistreating an animal. When presented with birds, he chose to release them into the wild, and even had a preference for allowing flies to exit through an open window rather than striking them down.

St. Anthony of Padua, at the age of 25, joined the Franciscan order with the intention of embarking on a missionary journey to Morocco. However, due to illness, he was unable to pursue this path and found himself remaining in Italy. It was during this time that he discovered his remarkable talent for eloquent preaching, drawing enormous crowds wherever he delivered sermons. His speaking prowess impressed St. Francis of Assisi so greatly that he appointed St. Anthony as the very first Franciscan teacher of theology, a significant honor. Anthony's sermons had a powerful impact, leading many to rediscover their faith.

A particularly memorable legend that connects him with animals is the Sermon of the Fish. He was sent to the city of Rimini, notorious for its heretical beliefs. The city's leaders had instructed the populace to ignore Anthony, resulting in complete silence during his homilies. Undeterred, Anthony walked outside the town, deep in prayer and contemplation. As he strolled along, he began to address a most unusual audience – not people, but fish. Astonishingly, thousands of fish congregated, aligning themselves neatly in rows, their heads breaking the water's surface as if straining to hear every word from Anthony's lips. Witnessing this miraculous event, the people of Rimini were compelled to gather and listen to Anthony. What started as mere curiosity about an extraordinary occurrence transformed into a fervent conviction that Anthony was speaking directly to their hearts. Touched by his words and his call to conversion, they abandoned their entrenched beliefs and returned to the embrace of the Church.

St. Blaise, initially thought to be a physician, later became a bishop and martyr. He lived during the 3rd and 4th centuries in Sebaste, which is now part of modern-day Turkey. Blaise is identified as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and was martyred under the reign of Emperor Licinius.

In later centuries after his death, St. Blaise's name became associated with the healing of sick animals, inspired by a legend in which he found solace in the woods and fields, forging a unique bond with untamed creatures. His gentle and kind approach won the affection of birds, beasts, and even fishes, as he never caused them harm and instead, offered them kindness and care, tending to their injuries and illnesses. 

St. Blaise had lived during a period of Christian persecution, and one fateful day, a group of soldiers arrived to apprehend him. Realizing they couldn't subject him to the arena's wild beasts, which would not harm him, they resorted to scourging, brutal torture with hooks, and ultimately, beheading him.

St. Rocco, also known as St. Roch, lived during the 13th century and hailed from a wealthy family but endured significant trials in his life. Orphaned at the age of twenty, he embarked on a long pilgrimage to Rome, dedicating most of his years to assisting the less fortunate, particularly those afflicted by the plague. His closeness to those suffering the plague led to his own contraction of the disease. 

Legend has it that he was so determined not to burden others with his affliction, he retreated into the solitude of the forest to face his mortality alone. Weak and starving, he was discovered by a stray dog that brought him sustenance and lovingly tended to his wounds. This loyal canine companion, a hunting dog, is said to have nursed the Saint back to health, continuously providing nourishment for several days. Once fully recovered from the plague, St. Rocco and his faithful four-legged companion journeyed to Montpellier, his hometown. However, their arrival led to their arrest, and they both endured five years in captivity on charges of spying. This story led him to be known as the Patron Saint of dogs.

St. Eligius lived in the 6th and 7th centuries in what is now France. He was originally a skilled goldsmith known for his ability to maximize the use of precious materials, crafted exquisite golden thrones and valuable items for the royal treasury. His talents caught the attention of King Clotaire II, who enlisted him to serve as the master of the mint in Paris. As the chief advisor to King Dragobert starting in 629, St. Eligius undertook significant state missions and accumulated a substantial personal fortune. However, he chose to use his wealth for acts of charity, including aiding the less fortunate, purchasing the freedom of slaves, and establishing churches and charitable institutions.

In 640, he made a pivotal transition, entering the priesthood, and just a year later, he assumed the role of bishop in Noyon. Legend has it that he performed a remarkable exorcism on a possessed horse by removing one of its legs, fitting a horseshoe, and then miraculously reattaching the limb. This extraordinary tale led to his recognition as the Patron Saint of horses and veterinarians, symbolizing his compassion and his ability to alleviate suffering in animals.

St. Gertrude of Nivelles, the daughter of Pepin I of Landen and sister to St. Begga, made a significant decision at a young age. Around the age of ten, during a banquet where her father proposed a marriage to the son of the Duke of Austrasia, she firmly rejected the idea, declaring that Christ alone would be her spouse. Following her father's passing in 639, her mother Itta, under the guidance of Bishop St. Amandus of Maestricht, established a double monastery at Nivelles, one for men and one for women. Gertrude was appointed the first abbess.

She is informally considered the Patron Saint of cats, not because of a love for the furry felines but rather because she was usually invoked against rat and mice infestations. This is because at that time mice were considered the main causes for fleas, plague and other infectious diseases. Since mice are usually afraid of cats, she was considered the Patroness of cats.

Click here for our list of Patron Saints.

St. Francis Blessing of Animals

Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.

 St. Francis Prayer for Pets

Good St. Francis, you loved all of God’s creatures. To you they were your brothers and sisters. Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness. St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, watch over my pet and keep my companion safe and healthy. Amen.

Prayer for Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals, especially for those who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated; for all the wistful creatures in captivity, that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted, or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them, we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the Merciful. Amen.

Prayer for Sick Pets

Heavenly Father, creators of heaven and earth, you made all that we see and gave man dominion over your creations – for that we are grateful. We thank you for the gift of our special animal companions who have brought nothing but love and joy in our lives.

We come before you today dear Lord asking for your healing power and mercies. We ask that you take away the suffering of our beloved pet (mention name here), and restore them to good health. Almighty God, make our special companion whole again; help them overcome whatever weakness of the body they may have, and they will join us in worshiping your name.

Whenever I see (pet’s name) playing/running/jumping around, I know and believe that they are singing praises in your name. Fill them with your healing light and rejuvenate their energy so they may continue to be living proof of your awesome nature. But most of all, give us a new understanding of our responsibilities so we may care for the environment as your Holy word decrees. This we pray trusting and believing in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Buy some beautiful St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Philip Neri, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Blaise, St. Rocco, St. Eligius or St. Gertrude of Nivelles jewelry to keep you or your loved one close to the patron saint of animals and be a symbol of your faith.