Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2008 » 02 OCT 08 ANIMAL AWARENESS DAY CELEBRATING FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The liturgical feast of St Francis of Assisi falls on the 4th day of October. This year, falling on a Saturday, Patri Mattew Sultana School celebrated it on Thursday 2 October. As part of Animal Awareness Day, an exhibition of paintings and posters raised by the schoolchildren was held in the School's foyer. In them the children expressed their thoughts on animal welfare and showed their love for animals. In the afternoon, parents brought the children's pets to school and handed them over to the pupils. There was a vast range of pets, from the bigger ones the dogs and the cats to the smaller ones tortoises and birds. School Assitant Head Ms Mary Anne Zammit introduced the ceremony. The Spiritual Director, Canon Anthony Refalo, briefly touched on the life of St Francis and his love for animals and the environment. A statue of the Saint was for the first time exhibited. This was kindly lent for the occassion by the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus of Xaghra. Canon Refalo then recited prayers, blessed the children and went round sprinkling holy water on the pets.

E4 ... and the tortoise made it to school too
E5 Larger cages at home await the birds
E6 more holy water drops down on pets and kids
E7 no one is left out
E8 they did not wait in vain as Can Refalo to them he came
E9 Parading in the schoolyard
F1 The final ones to be blessed
F2 leading dogs and carrying cages
F3
F4 Proudly showing off their pets
F5 St Francis watches over them
F6 Lovely Persian and owner
F7 in the company of St Francis
F8 Spiritual Director joins in
F9
G1
G2
G3
G4 one of the youngest animal lovers
G5

View Slideshow
Rating 1.0 (1 vote)