Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine prepares for feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Quezon City has begun preparations for the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4.

Triduum masses in honor of the revered founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans or Capuchins) will be celebrated at the shrine from 6 p.m. on Oct. 1 to 3.
On Oct. 4, a fiesta mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. It will be followed by the Franciscan and Capuchin Saints Procession in honor of St. Francis at 7 p.m. The procession will include canonized saints and those who had been declared blessed by the religious order.
The faithful who are interested to join the solemn procession is reminded to bring candles and to wear brown, which is the color of the habit of the Franciscans.
The traditional blessing of pets will also be held on Oct. 2 after the 10:30 a.m. holy mass.
Born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181, St. Francis founded the OFM in 1209, and in 1212, he co-founded with St. Clare, the Order of the Poor Clares. In1220, he set up the first known Nativity scene (Belen) in Greccio, Italy. In 1224, he received the gift of a phenomenon known as the stigmata or the five wounds of Christ.
He died on Oct. 3, 1226, and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228. Along with Saint Catherine of Siena, he was designated patron saint of Italy.
St. Francis is the patron saint of the environment and animals. His feast day coincides with World Animal Day and marks the culmination of the Season of Creation that began in September which calls on the public to be responsible stewards of the environment.