REUTERS/Jerry LampenA deacon blesses a hamster and guinea pig in the Holy Heart Breaking church in Amsterdam. On October 4 every year, Catholic churches around the world hold local ceremonies honouring all animals, great and small (grunt and smell), in commemoration of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Saint Francis is said to have lived many centuries ago in Italy, in a time before speed dating and social networks. So, he spent most of his spare time 'befriending' animals, small children and allegedly grooming them and feeding them with medicinal and hallucinagenic herbs (as shown in the picture).
It is also thought that the word 'Via-gra' comes from an adaption or corruption of a phrase that St Francis used, to describe his passion for all animals, their basic nature and raw instincts. He called it 'the way of the beast!' Grrrr!
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