On the Feast of St Francis of Assisi in the Catholic Church’s Season of Creation, there was a Laudato Si’ Mini-Pilgrimage to St Benedict’s Church in Garforth. Fr Henry Longbottom celebrated a Mass of Harvest Thanksgiving – and a Blessing of the Animals, Laudato Si’ Liturgy, and shared lunch followed.
The Harvest gifts displayed in the church were donated by the school and parish to be distributed by the SVP. However, St Benedict’s is also one of our CAFOD LiveSimply Parishes, and regularly benefits from ‘the fruits of creation’, as almost all the church’s flowers, plus apples, leeks, courgettes and other produce is either grown in the St Benedict’s allotment, or by parishioners locally.
St Benedict’s is very fortunate to have enough land attached to the church to create an entire allotment of vegetables, flowers and fruits; however, churches with little or no space can also be inspired by this parish’s smaller gardening projects. Behind the church, an apple tree and rose bushes serve as a tiny memorial garden for still-born babies and their families.
Marg’s tour of the church grounds included the baby-loss memorial garden and bench
Steve, who cares for the allotment, has recently created two small flower beds with space for a statue of St Francis of Assisi; he also plans a small ‘raised bed’ specifically for people living with with dementia to tend.
Steve ‘standing-in’ for St Francis of Assisi!
The Blessing of Animals was in honour of St Francis of Assisi’s preaching to the birds and beasts – and even once taming a savage wolf! Fr Henry bestowed a blessing on several well-behaved dogs and their families – and a shy kitten.
Pepper the kitten: glad to be blessed, but not too sure about all those dogs – nor, for that matter, the Holy Water!
Although all the planned liturgical elements of the Mini-Pilgrimage were present, the usual short pilgrimage walk in the afternoon had already been cancelled, owing to heavy rain and high winds from ‘Storm Amy’. The weather also meant the short Laudato Si’ Liturgy led by parishioners was held inside the church instead of outdoors – but adults, children and animals were all welcome to participate!
St Francis of Assisi, who wished to die owning nothing, was commemorated in the church with a brown Franciscan habit.
Remembering the poverty of St Francis of Assisi
The Harvest Festival and Laudato Si’ Mini Pilgrimage closed with a simple but delicious shared lunch and Climate Change Quiz. In honour of his Feast Day, St Francis’s favourite almond biscuits were served. One of Francis’ followers, Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli (1190-1273), had baked them for his visits and the sweet treats were probably one of the very few ‘luxuries’ the Saint allowed himself.
Everyone who took part or contributed to the day was a Pilgrim of Hope – and far from being a penance, ‘Living Simply and Sustainably’ can be achieved in our homes, schools and parishes by living life joyfully and to the full!
The next diocesan Laudato Si’ event will be our Advent Eco-Fair at Hinsley Hall on Saturday 13 December 2025. For more details or to request a (FREE!) stall for your parish, environmental charity, ‘repair cafe’, allotment produce, fairly-traded goods, arts and crafts or eco-business etc, please contact communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
St Francis: pray for us
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