Come all animal lovers for the blessing of the animals at St Paul's Cathedral. The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated by Blessing of the Animals. He was born in the 12th century, lived in Italy, and founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.