The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi was celebrated at parishes around the diocese the weekend of Oct. 4 in a variety of ways that highlighted his extraordinary life and death.

One of the most beloved saints of all time, his heroic life of prayer, evangelization, love of nature, simplicity and concern for the poor were memorialized with prayerful contemplation, pet blessings and distribution of food and other provisions to area animal shelters and medieval festivities honoring his heritage.

Nowhere was Francis more a focus than in St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach. The Franciscan community went all out with three days and nights of events in honor of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the religious order that bears their patron’s name.

The commemorations began Oct. 2 with reflections, meditations and devotions in his memory.

Festivities on Oct. 3 included a Blessing of the Animals where pet medals and prayer cards were distributed and Franciscan songs sung by the children’s choir.

The Transitus service, a Franciscan observance since the earliest days of the order, which marks the anniversary of his transition from “death into life”, drew the day to a moving close. One highlight of the actual Oct. 4 feast day of St. Francis was the public profession of two members of the Secular Franciscan Order – Joellen Arrabito and Divina Dayawon.

The weekend was a “great experience” said Dorothy O’Reilly, counselor at large with the St. Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity of Secular Franciscans, who planned the event. “I can’t tell you how many people said they enjoyed learning new things about Francis and that’s exactly what we wanted to do – teach people about Francis.”

“Everyone knows that Francis loved animals but did they know that Francis was one of the first, if not the first, to receive the stigmata? Did they know about his preaching about conversion and repentance and his call to renew the Church,” O’Reilly said.

“He was such an innovative thinker that many consider him the father of the Renaissance. His great poetry, his great respect for God’s creation… these are all things that people need to know about him.”

His respect for God’s creation and concern for the poor melded not only at St.

Peter’s where people collected pet food and treats for distribution to area shelters bursting with animals turned in by people who can no longer afford to keep them, but at a number of other parishes throughout the diocese.

In St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel, children from the religious education program took a collection of old towels, sheets and gently used pet accessories that resulted in five car loads of comfort for area shelters.

Coordinated by Helen Graziano, director of religious education, and seventh grade students, the initiative drew scores of animals to the parish for blessings and donations from many of their human friends.

“I know that collections have been taken for area shelters in the past but the fact that this was for St. Francis Day seemed to give it a little extra push,” said Graziano.

Donations went to a number of shelters in Burlington County including Paws Farm Nature Center, Mount Laurel, where office manager Jan Pacitti said they were greatly appreciated.

Pacitti said the Nature Center serves as a refuge for farm animals including sheep, goats and pigs. “A lot of people call us when they can’t take care of them anymore. We also get calls from animal rehab centers.

“It was wonderful for us, especially at this time of year and in these economic times,” Pacitti said. “We really appreciate the donations.”