Trustpilot
Back to the calendar
Ordinary Time
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Also called: Blessing of the Animals
October 4 (fixed)
CatholicAnglicanEpiscopalLutheranMethodist
On 4 October, Christians remember St Francis of Assisi — the saint who talked to birds, embraced poverty, and created the first Christmas crib scene in a cave in 1223. Churches hold pet blessings; environmental groups mark it as a day for creation care.
Francis is one of the most loved figures in Christianity across all denominations. Eden lists retreats in nature-focused centres inspired by Franciscan spirituality.
At a glance
- Type
- memorial
- Date type
- Fixed (same date every year)
- Regions
- Global
- Themes
- Saints & Martyrs, Creation
- Liturgical colour
- Brown, White
Common questions
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is observed on October 4 (fixed). Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
The feast of St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226), founder of the Franciscan Order, patron of ecology and animals, known for his "Canticle of the Sun" and his embodiment of evangelical poverty. Many churches — across a wide range of denominations, well beyond Catholic — hold "Blessing of the Animals" services on or around October 4, in honor of Francis's legendary love for all creatures. The feast ha
It is associated with Catholic, Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, All Christians. It falls in the Ordinary Time season of the liturgical year.
