This week, we are honouring the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a fair that focuses on our animal companions. This particular edition is devoted largely to farm animals. The animals we raise for milk, meat or fibre deserve special attention and care. I think that St. Francis would have understood that these animals are connected to us in a very different way than the wild creatures of the forest, or our companion animals. Each serve a glorious purpose in God’s plan, but we depend upon farm animals in a unique way. The proper stewardship of our farm animals directly impacts our health and the health of the land we live on. Consequently, it affects the health and happiness of wild and companion animals as well. Mountain Run Farm in Virginia understands this, and you can find a video tour of their farm on my blog, Simple Gifts.

I’ve been thinking about animals quite a lot lately because we are planning to move (hopefully very soon) to a farm of our own. We will be responsible for stewarding a small herd of Oberhasli dairy goats, like the ones that are cared so lovingly for by Tricia at Carlisle Farmstead Cheese. We adopted two beautiful wethers from her farm. And she’s got a neato list of materials for making your own pasteurizer. Just click on the “Cheese” link, then on the “MicroVat” link. Can you tell she’s a scientist?

One of my favourite sites for information on caring for goats (holistically), and all things goaty is Molly’s home on the web. I’ve learned so much from reading her articles and following her tutorials. It’s better than any book I’ve ever looked over. I’m certain that no one who reads her words of wisdom will ever say that their farm venture has been a fiasco. But if you really feel you need more information, she has a book list, too.

Daniel Botkin is one of my favourite farmers to watch. He’s got videos on everything from feeding your goats to trimming their hooves. Beware - you could easily spend all day with him, and wind up discovering that you simply can’t live without a dairy herd of your own. He also has videos on gardening and hoop houses that are not to be missed.

This site has some great illustrations of animal anatomy, as well as a fine book list in the sidebar for further research. Kym Wright has written several excellent unit studies on different animals including sheep, goats, poultry and even spiders! Here is a site that has recipes for home-made pet foods. And Robina, a veterinarian and home-school mom, suggests having your children try brushing your pet’s teeth as a way of getting them more involved in the day-to-day care of your animals. She says that, besides good food and exercise, this is the next most important thing we can do to extend the health and lifespan of our pets.

Let’s make a visit to Lynn’s farm in New South Wales, Australia. She has had some lovely additions to her barnyard this year, and the farm hands are adorable!

Below are some prayers you might like to keep handy, if you have pets at home. These blessings will surely make their way onto signs that will hang prominently in the barn of our new farm.

Blessing for All Animals

Blessed are you, Lord God,
maker of all living creatures.
On the fifth and sixth days of creation,
you called forth fish in the sea,
birds in the air and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all animals
his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless this animal.
By the power of your love,
enable it to live according to your plan.
May we always praise you
for all your beauty in creation.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.


Prayer Over a Sick or Injured Animal

Heavenly Father,
you created all things for your glory
and made us stewards of this creature.
If it is your will, restore it to health and strength.
Blessed are you, Lord God,
and holy is your name for ever and ever. Amen.

With many thanks to St. Anthony Messenger for the prayers above, and for the links to the following St. Francis stories.

St. Francis’ and the Birds

Will I See My Little Doggy in Heaven?

St. Francis and the Animals

And while you are planning to observe the Feast of St. Francis with your family, check in with Mary of Our Domestic Church who offers a fun-filled celebration complete with a list of books about St. Francis, craft activities, and even a link to a recipe for Mostaccioli to have with tea.

Try one of these recipes from the Umbrian region of St. Francis’ birth for your celebratory meal:

Lamb with Mushrooms

This recipe most certainly would have been made with black truffles, so prominent in Umbrian cuisine. If you can find them, you might substitute for the mushrooms, but ooooh, what an extravagant treat!

3-5 lb. boneless lamb, cut into pieces
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
8 anchovies, mashed to a paste
juice of 2 lemons
1/4 c. olive oil
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350.
Salt lamb pieces and place in oiled casserole dish. Brown meat in the oven, cover and roast for approximately 15 minutes. Remove fat from the pan and add the juice of lemons with enough water to make 1 c. Continue to to roast for an additional 15 minutes, remove from the oven and add the mushrooms. Replace the cover, set aside for 10 minutes before serving.
Serves 8

Sausage and Lentil Casserole

1 lb. green or brown lentils
2 T olive oil
2-3 lg onions, chopped
8 stalks of celery, chopped
4 large carrots, chopped
2 lb. farmstead sausage (homemade kielbasa or pork/fennel sausage would be delicious)
8 plum or Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp. fennel seeds (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Water

Pre-soak lentils overnight, drain. In a large, heavy skillet or dutch oven, saute the onions, celery, and carrots. Add the lentils and water to cover. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked and almost all of the water is absorbed. Add more water during cooking, if needed. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and fennel. In a separate skillet, fry the sausages until they are cooked through (about 10-15 minutes). Add to the lentils, cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
Serves 8

Both dishes go nicely with a fresh green salad and freshly baked bread. For dessert, try this recipe for Apple Pie with Hazelnut Crust - two ingredients that are popularly found in the cuisine of central Italy. And if you can find some of these chocolates at your local gourmet shop, you’ll have a very satisfied crowd.

Don’t forget to check with your diocese to see if one of the parishes will be offering a Blessing of Animals this weekend. While you are processing to the doors of the church, you might just want to recite this beautiful piece, written by St. Francis himself.

Canticle of All Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
all praise is yours, all glory, all honor,
and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
All praise be yours, my Lord,
through all you have made,
and first my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day;
and through whom you give us light.
How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor;
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
All Praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon
and the stars; in the heavens you have made them,
bright, and precious, and fair.
All praise be yours, my Lord,
through Brothers wind and air, and fair and stormy,
all the weather’s moods,
by which you cherish all that you have made.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful is he, how cheerful!
Full of power and strength.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through our Sister
Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers
and herbs.
All praise be yours, my Lord,
through those who grant pardon for love of you;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy are those who endure in peace,
By You, Most High, they will be crowned.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,
From whose embrace no mortal can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing your will!
The second death can do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks
And serve him with great humility.

Don’t forget to join us again next week for Christopher Columbus!

Nissa

You can support this ministry by visiting our sponsors:

NAVIGO Magazine
Simple Gifts Magazine
Blessed Bears ™

or by purchasing Nissa’s Book, The Simple Gifts Home Management Book.

In this episode, I speak with Marianne Burnham, mother of five from Vermont. Her sons make up the “Burnham Brothers Band”, which takes the family back and forth to New York. We talk about their unique lifestyle and how homeschooling fits in.



Links for this episode:

Marianne’s Personal Blog
Marianne’s Homeschooling Blog
Burnham Bros. Band
Phillip Burnham Design
4 Real Learning Message Boards

And check out this video of the boys rehearsing “Skipping Stones”

*Renaissance Radio Episodes are available for free on the The Renaissance Academy website for one month from publication date. If you have missed an episode, or if you would like a copy of any episode for your audio library, you may purchase a CD on our website.

You can support this ministry by visiting our sponsors:

NAVIGO Magazine
Simple Gifts Magazine
Blessed Bears ™

or by purchasing Nissa’s Book, The Simple Gifts Home Management Book.