Thursday, November 11, 2010

Will I See My Dog in Heaven?

Monday in the Grace Cathedral Gift Shop in San Francisco, Sarah picked up a book.


Will I See My Dog in Heaven?
by Jack Wintz, O.F.M. (Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2009)
offers Three Prayers of Blessing for Any Animal, Fish, Bird, or Other Creature:

Scripture Reflection

"[Christ] is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17, NRSV)

For Any of God's Creatures

Blessed are you, Lord God,
Maker of all living creatures,
On the fifth and sixth days of creation,
you called forth fish in the sea,
birds in the air, and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all animals
his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless this animal (these animals)
gathered about us.
By the power of your love,
enable him or her (them) 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.

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For One or More Sick Creatures

Heavenly Creator,
you made all things for your glory
and made us caretakers of this creature
(these creatures) under our care.
Restore to health and strength this animal
(this pet) that you have entrusted to us.
Keep this animal (this pet)
always under your loving protection.
Blessed are you, Lord God,
And holy is your name for ever and ever. Amen.

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For an Animal that Has Died or Is About to Die

Loving God,
our beloved pet and companion, Hound Dog,
is on his final journey.
We will miss Hound Dog dearly
because of the joy and affection
Hound Dog has given to us.
Bless Hound Dog and give him peace.
May your care for Hound Dog never die.
We thank you for the gift
that Hound Dog has been to us.
Give us hope that in your great kindness
you may restore Hound Dog in your heavenly kingdom
according to your wisdom, which goes
beyond our human understanding. Amen.


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http://www.friarjack.org

http://www.ofm.org

http://www.ofm.org/ofm/?page_id=122&lang=en

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