The Metropolitan Cathedral of Teresina organized a series of events to commemorate Saint Francis of Assisi, a figure known in Catholic tradition as the protector of animals and ecology. One of the central activities was the traditional blessing of animals, scheduled for 8:30 AM in the courtyard of the São Benedito Church, located in the city center.
Although the official day of Saint Francis of Assisi is October 4th, the main celebrations were moved forward to Saturday, the 3rd, due to elections taking place the following Sunday. Despite this date change, various parishes, sanctuaries, and communities that dedicate the saint as their patron maintained their masses, processions, and other religious acts for Sunday.
Detailed Schedule
On Saturday, the 3rd, the São Benedito Parish, in the Center, will have Holy Mass at 6:30 AM, followed by the blessing of animals at 8:30 AM. At 5:00 PM, there will be a procession starting from the Paulo VI Pastoral Center towards the São Benedito Church, and the schedule will conclude with another Holy Mass at 6:00 PM.
On Sunday, the 4th, the schedule is divided among different locations. At the São Francisco de Assis Sanctuary, in Dirceu I, there will be Holy Mass at 5:00 AM, concentration for the procession at 5:30 PM, the procession at 6:00 PM, and Holy Mass again at 7:00 PM.
At the São Francisco Parish, in Cidade Nova, the faithful can participate in Eucharistic Adoration between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM. The evening will feature a gathering for the procession at 5:00 PM, the procession at 6:00 PM, leaving from the Mother Church, followed by Holy Mass at 7:00 PM, as well as the blessing of the Blessed Sacrament and the Siege of Jericho after mass.
Other locations include the São Francisco de Assis and Santa Clara Parish, in Piçarreira I, where there will be Holy Mass at 7:00 AM, and a procession through the neighborhood streets at 6:00 PM, starting from the Mother Church, with Holy Mass at 7:00 PM. At the São Francisco de Assis Chapel, in Conjunto Murilo Resende (Ilhotas), the procession concentration will take place at 5:30 PM in Vila Ferroviária, with Holy Mass at 6:30 PM.
Communities also participate in the festivities: the São Francisco das Chagas Community, in Lourival Parente, will hold a procession through the neighborhood streets at 5:30 PM, followed by Holy Mass at 7:00 PM. In the São Francisco Community, in Parque Alvorada, the procession concentration is at 4:30 PM, the procession takes place at 5:00 PM, and Holy Mass happens after the procession arrives. Finally, the São Francisco Community, in Vila São Francisco, will have procession concentration at 5:30 PM, the procession at 6:00 PM, and Holy Mass at 7:00 PM.