When we take time to study the lives of the saints, we are challenged to follow their examples of humility, kindness, and mercy. Here are 5 saints who showed love to all of God’s created individuals!
St. Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) is one of the most famous and beloved animal advocates in history. The patron saint of animals, he showed compassion and care to individuals of all species. He returned caught fish to their streams, fed bees in winter, and freed animals caught in traps. A 13th-century painting shows Saint Francis preaching to birds. He envisioned the world of nature as a mirror in which one can see God’s reflection. He wrote “The Canticle of the Sun,” urging people to respect the natural world as God’s handiwork and to be protective of all God’s beings.
Saint Francis wrote, “If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”
St. Mother Teresa
St. Mother Teresa (1910-1997) is a revered figure among people of many faith traditions, renowned for her selfless work for the poor and oppressed members of society. Before she died in 1997, Mother Teresa carried a small picture of St. Francis of Assisi with her. “I love St. Francis of Assisi,” she said, “because he had a great love for animals. He used to talk with them and play with them—and scold them if they did harm to anybody. I love animals, too. Animals are such simple creations of God’s beauty.” St. Mother Teresa understood animals are among the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40), exploited by humans all across the world, and the duty of Christians to protect and care for them.
Pope St. Pius V
Pope St. Pius V (1504-1572) understood the importance of putting faith over culture—in 1567, he banned bullfighting, denouncing the events as “cruel and base spectacles of the devil and not of man”, enforcing excommunication to Catholics who participated in them. This papal bull is still in effect today, but, sadly, is rarely enforced. You can honor St. Pope Pius V by signing our petition to urge Pope Leo XIV to enforce church law and condemn this horrendous “sport”.
St. Philip Neri
St. Philip Neri (1515–1595) was born in Florence and committed his life to serving others. His kindness extended to all sentient beings, and he understood their complex and sensitive nature. He practiced compassion toward them in his daily life, from keeping animals off his plate to freeing wild animals from captivity, including those whom others had trapped and intended to kill as “pests.” Given his heartwarming care for everyone, it’s no surprise that St. Philip is the patron saint of joy!
St. Francis of Paola
St. Francis of Paola (1416-1507) lived a pious life devoted to the Lord, residing in a cave and dedicating himself to prayer, humility, poverty, chastity, and nonviolence. In keeping with those tenets—and in an expansion of Lenten fasting—he refused to kill and eat animals, or anything made from their milk or eggs. He knew that animals’ lives were precious to God, that they possessed souls, and that they continued to exist after departing this life. Francis performed many miracles, healing the sick, walking on water, and raising the dead—including animals who had been killed for food!
The lives of these saints inspire us to show compassion to all of God’s beloved creation. Download our free Creation Care Toolkit for fun and easy ways to spread their vital message to your faith community!
