THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610020164
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GREG BURT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 79 lines
On the front lawn of St. Francis Episcopal Church stands a 3-foot-tall unassuming stone statue of a man dressed in a robe and sandals and holding a small bird.
During most of the year, this replica of Saint Francis of Assisi doesn't attract much attention. Yet, Sunday at noon, this icon will transform the church grounds into something akin to a petting zoo as more than 100 different creatures and their owners participate in a blessing of the animals service in honor of the church's patron saint.
Special guests standing among dogs, cats, fish and birds this year will be three Virginia Beach police horses and their officers.
The 16 horses of the Virginia Beach Mounted Police usually line up for a prayer of blessing in their own stables lead by one of the police chaplains, said Sgt. Diane Lowman. But after receiving an invitation for the horses to attend the annual service at St. Francis, Lowman decided to put up a sign-up sheet for those interested in taking their horses. Most people pray for the protection of the police officers, said Lowman, who oversees the horses. ``But with the horses in public service for the city, it is nice to think about them, too.''
The Rev. Elisa Wheeler is the church's interim rector. ``I've blessed everything from hermit crabs to horses,'' said Wheeler, who has served in three other parishes in the Washington, D.C., area during her 16-year career. ``People are very, very attached to their animals. They are extensions of their family,'' said Wheeler. ``So people take this service very seriously.'' The service is actually part of an official church holiday called the Feast of Saint Francis, which occurs Oct. 4 every year.
Not all Episcopal churches celebrate the event, but Wheeler said it's important for her congregation to know why their church is named after this ``magnificent man.''
``He grew up a party boy,'' Wheeler said of the saint who died almost 800 years ago in Italy. But after mingling with beggars and lepers during a pilgrimage to Rome, Francis committed himself to imitating the life of Jesus Christ by renouncing all his worldly wealth, living a life of strict poverty and preaching on the streets. He eventually started the Franciscan order within the Catholic Church.
Not only is Saint Francis known for embracing poverty, but also for his love of animals, said Wheeler. To commemorate this man's affection for animals, present day animals lovers will reaffirm their devotion to their own animals as they gather around the image of Saint Francis. During the ceremony, Wheeler will sprinkle water and make the sign of a cross with a willow branch over each creature repeating a simple prayer: ``May the Lord bless you and keep you this day and for ever more.''
Although reasons vary for participation in the service, Wheeler said there is a common theme. ``I think there is a sense that people want reassurance and a confirmation that God loves their pets like they do,'' she said. ``We believe where love is present, when compassion is present, God is present,'' she said. ``So people want that (love) singled out and honored.''
Wheeler said she has seen many older folks perk up when pets are around. ``Pets are like children for them,'' Wheeler said.
One such parishioner who has experienced comfort and strong attachment to her pet is 73-year-old Gloria McKee. She plans to take ``her Jenny'' to the blessing of the animal service, but warns that she can't let the reverend get too close because her little dog is very protective.
Jenny goes everywhere with McKee and her husband, Bill. And if Jenny can't come along, the McKee's find a baby sitter. Struggling with diabetes and the after effects of a broken shoulder makes getting around difficult for McKee. But her canine friend makes dealing with the pain a little easier.
``I feel that there is a god up above and he does love all animals as well as human beings,'' said McKee.
The blessing of the animal service is not only for members of St. Francis Episcopal Church but is open to the community. Anyone can come. The church's men's group will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and serving drinks.
Wheeler asks that all pets be on leashes. ``I think it will be a very spiritual event,'' she said. MEMO: For information, call the church at 340-6884. The address is 509
Rosemont Road. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GRET BURT
``I've blessed everything from hermit crabs to horses,'' says The
Rev. Elisa Wheeler, interim rector at St. Francis Episcopal Church. by CNB