Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures -Francis of Assisi
(dogs encountered across Austria, swan in Hallstatt, Austria)
Blessings on this feast of Francis of Assisi! In 2019, John and I had the joy of traveling to Assisi on pilgrimage to walk in Francis’ landscape. It was such a gift to connect more deeply to this amazing human being and his sister-in-spirit Clare.
Join Abbey of the Arts for a monthly conversation on how increasing our diversity of perspectives on contemplative practice can enrich our understanding and experience of the Christian mystical tradition. Christine Valters Paintner is joined by author Claudia Love Mair for a series of video conversations. Each month
Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, Some of you who have been following my work for many years know that honoring my ancestors and engaging in healing has been a central part of my spiritual practice. I recently completed the manuscript for a book that will
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9 Responses
Thanks Suz! And Sue how wonderfully that you were intuitively connected to this feast. Although I have to admit that kind of thing happens to me quite a lot. ;-) I do love philosophy (majored in it in college) so I will have to check the title out!
Last night I was reading a book called The Philosopher’s Dog by Raimond Gaita (a great read so far, especially if you love philosophy and animals mixed together :)
The writer was recounting the last time he saw his pet cockatoo, and of course I burst into gales of tears. But then I couldn’t stop. By the end I was crying at God for all the animals who are suffering in the world (if I was an actor, this is what I would think of if I wanted to cry on cue).
I feel a bit pathetic about that really. But now I realise yesterday was the Feast of St Francis here in Oz. I don’t feel quite so ridiculously moronic now :)
Love those doggies! Good pictures of them, Christine! You really captured their uniqueness.
Thank you all. Ja voll Tess, Sie bellen auf Deutsch! :-)
Christine, I love these dogs, and all your beautiful animal photos (I’m remembering the sheep and donkey! the eagle, and loving pics of Tune).
Cute doggies. Do they bark in Austrian?
Oh, beautiful!
yes, I was missing Tune a LOT so I would soothe myself with other people’s dogs. :-) My macro lens helped me to be somewhat stealth about it! Animals are indeed holy vessels, certainly my Abbess brings me closer to God than most anything else.
oh, i love it–another dog stalker :-) i have been seeing all over town signs for the blessing of the animals. haven’t decided yet if i may sneak into a service to be a part of the festivities.
i always come back to dog is God spelled backwards…no coincidence in my mind!!! xoxoxoxo
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