Two local churches will observe

the feast of St. Francis of Assisi Sunday with a blessing of the animals.

The Episcopal Church of the

Nativity in Fayetteville, pastored by the Rev. Bob Hudak, will confer

the blessing at 4 p.m. St. Andrew's-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church in Peachtree

City invites pet owners to participate in its ceremony at 5 p.m.

The age-old custom has grown

in popularity in recent years, according to Hudak, who compares the unconditional

love pets have for their owners to the unconditional love God has for

us.

Stone-cast images of St. Francis

maintain a constant vigil in gardens and meditation corners worldwide.

So who was this early animal rights activist and ecologist?

Francis was born in 1181, the

son of a wealthy cloth merchant, in the Italian village of Assisi. He

led a privileged life, and today might be referred to as a playboy. Francis

served as knight in the Holy Wars, and during his captivity by the enemy

he had a life altering revelation.

He returned home to renounce

his wealth and worldly ways, wearing a rough brown robe cinched with rope

belt. He begged for only the things he needed to survive.

Francis rejoiced in the natural

beauty of the world and called the creatures of the earth his brothers

and sisters. His joy was contagious and he drew people to God's message

through his itinerant preaching. Eventually, other men wished to follow

his life-style and the group became known as the Friars Minor. Today,

they are a known as the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church.

All pets participating in Sunday's

ceremonies must be leashed, if appropriate, and under the control of the

owner.