8 Simple Ways to Celebrate The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi

Icon of St. Francis of Assisi drawn with a white outline surrounded by illustrations of birds, flowers, and leaves with a dark background.

October 4th is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

As the patron saint of Italy, ecology, animals, and archaeologists, St. Francis of Assisi is remembered as a kind and gentle man who loved animals, nature, and people. He inspired many to embrace the wonder and beauty of all things and beings created by God as he advocated for the equality of the more-than-human world and humanity.

There are many fun ways to celebrate this holy day—with perhaps the most adorable being a Blessing of the Pets worship service. So, we tried our best to narrow it down. Here is a list of eight simple ways for humans of all ages to connect with nature and celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

1. Create a zoo featuring your favorite animals

Use simple craft materials, play dough, or blocks. As you build and create, explore the different biomes your animals live in and talk about what things they need to thrive.

Two children sitting at a table in a library reading a book. One child points at a picture in the book, both children look engaged with what they are reading.

2. Visit your local library to learn more about animals you think are weird, creepy, or gross

How does learning more about them change the way you feel towards them?

3. Learn about endangered species

Look up the list of endangered species. Are you surprised to see any animals on this list? How does reading through this list make you feel?

4. Remember species that have gone extinct

Light a candle or hold a moment of silence for species that have gone extinct. What role did humans play in their extinction?

Three children sitting in grass. Two children cuddle a puppy with short black fur while one child cuddles a kitten with fluffy gray fur.

5. Show your pets or stuffed animals they are loved

Find special ways like extra cuddles, playtime, or treats. For pets who have died, remember them. Say their name, look at pictures, and tell stories.

6. Spend time outside

Make a list of creatures you notice, or draw the nature patterns you see.

7. Make a nature-friendly craft

Check out these window decals that help migrating birds stay safe.

A warm, vibrant mosaic of St. Francis holding a scroll in one hand and a bird in the other. He stands between a bush full of birds on one side and a sheep and wolf on the other. The moon is near his head on his right and the sun is near his head on his left.

8. Read, listen to, or sing along with some of the nature-inspired prayers, poems, and songs St. Francis wrote.

Two examples are The Canticle of Creatures or All Creatures of Our God and King (these are two of my favorite versions: Rain for Roots, Gungor).

1. Create a zoo featuring your favorite animals

2. Visit your local library to learn more about animals you think are weird, creepy, or gross

3. Learn about endangered species

4. Remember species that have gone extinct

5. Show your pets or stuffed animals they are loved

6. Spend time outside

7. Make a nature-friendly craft

8. Read, listen to, or sing along with some of the nature-inspired prayers, poems, and songs St. Francis wrote.

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