If you have pets, you know how easy it is for these four-legged creatures to become part of the family. Dogs, cats, birds, horses and other animals were not always this way. Animals were for working or providing food. That doesn't mean that people didn't have compassion for animals, they just didn't own them in the same way we do today. Many Catholic saints loved animals and nature. Probably the one most people are familiar with is St. Francis of Assisi, who actually preached to the animals. His feast day is in October. Here are some other saints who had a heart for animals.
St. Basil the Great
St. Basil is not known for his patronage of animals, but he did contribute a number of liturgies to the church. The Liturgy of St. Basil includes this line: "The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our brothers the animals to whom thou has given the earth as their home in common with us."
He is generally celebrated in January. In the Greek tradition, he brings gifts to the children on January 1. In the Orthodox tradition, he is associated with Santa Claus, much like St. Nicholas is in the western tradition.
St. Cuthbert
Cuthbert has Scottish heritage, and he was a shepherd in the early first century. It is recorded that he made friends with the birds, protecting them from hunters and feeding them his very own meals. One tradition says that otters would come warm his feet when he stood in the North Sea, reciting nightly prayers. His feast day is in March.
St. Philip Neri
Philip was born the son of Italian nobility, but he gave up worldly treasure to become a priest. He lived in the 1500s, and he embraced vegetarianism, not because of abstinence which was the practice at the time. He actually believed in animal welfare. When he was given live birds for food, he would set them free. Many times, the animals chose not to leave him, but he always let the birds choose. He even refused to kill flies and mice. His feast day is celebrated in May and it would be appropriate to honor him with a meal without any type of meat.
St. Melangell
Melangell was a princess in Ireland who didn't want to marry. She ran away and hid on a nobleman's land. Legend has it that she gave refuge to a hare who was being chased by hounds who she also calmed. The nobleman realized her piety and courage and granted her asylum. She is now the patron saint of hares. Her sanctuary became a religious community of women and she is still honored today for her concern for the animals.
St. Roch
Dog lovers should know St. Roch as the patron saint of dogs. He was the son of a nobleman. His birth was considered a miracle, because his mother was considered barren. Strangely, it seemed as if he was marked from birth for the priesthood, because he had a birthmark on his chest which resembled a cross. He contracted the plague while caring for others with the disease. The healthy people of the town threw him out of the community. Legend says that a dog brought him bread every day and licked his wounds. In August, his feast day is celebrated by thanking companion dogs who care for the elderly, the sick and lonely people.
St. Jerome
St. Jerome might be the inspiration for "Androcles and the Lion." Legend says that Jerome, a scholar who became a priest, removed a thorn from a lion's paw. The lion was so grateful that he gave up eating other animals and lived at the monastery with Jerome.
