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A Dog Shows Reverence for the Blessed Sacrament
- By Anne Van Tilburg
- Published 12/9/2007
- General Short Stories
- Unrated
St. Francis of Assisi, whose power over irrational creatures almost carries us back to the days of man's original innocence, was followed by a sheep wherever he went. This sheep went even into the church, and during Holy Mass, would keep very quiet until the consecration, when it would kneel down as if to adore its Creator.
The most striking fact of this reverence shown by animals, and one which would seem almost incredible if its truth was not vouched by such authors as John Eusebius and Stephen Menochius, is related of a baker's dog in Lisbon, Portugal. This dog, without ever having been taught to do so, seemed to show towards the Most Blessed Sacrament all that devoted fidelity which so often distinguishes the attachment of these animals to their masters.
As soon as the bell rang to announce that the Blessed Sacrament was to be carried to the sick, he would run to the church, and lying down at the door, he would wait till the priest came out with the Blessed Sacrament. Then he would join the procession, running from one side to the other as if he was appointed to keep order. Once, the bell was rung about midnight. The dog instantly jumped up to go in all haste to the church, but the doors of the house were all locked so that he could not get out. He went to his masters bedroom, whining and barking, in order to awaken him. Not being successful, he went to another person in the house whom he pulled by his clothes to the door of the house and held on to him until he opened the door.
Once, in Holy Week he watched for 24 hours successively when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the sepulcher. He would not permit the slightest irreverence in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and as long as he was in the church, no one dared to sit or stand. On one occasion, as the Viaticum was being carried to a sick person, the dog found a peddler asleep on the road-side; he barked until the man awoke, uncovered his head and knelt while the Viaticum was passing. On another occasion the dog forced a country woman who was riding on a donkey to dismount and adore the Blessed Sacrament.
Sometimes he was mistaken in the signal and would run to the church when the bell had rung for a funeral; in such cases he would return immediately. No one, not even his owner, was able to break him of this habit with the Blessed Sacrament. Whether they tried to entice him with food, or tied him up, all was in vain. The dog would snap at the meat once or twice, then, as if fearing to be late, would run to the church. Or he would howl so dreadfully that they were glad to release him.
Thus, has God been pleased to give us, through a creature devoid of understanding, a lesson in our duty.
The most striking fact of this reverence shown by animals, and one which would seem almost incredible if its truth was not vouched by such authors as John Eusebius and Stephen Menochius, is related of a baker's dog in Lisbon, Portugal. This dog, without ever having been taught to do so, seemed to show towards the Most Blessed Sacrament all that devoted fidelity which so often distinguishes the attachment of these animals to their masters.
As soon as the bell rang to announce that the Blessed Sacrament was to be carried to the sick, he would run to the church, and lying down at the door, he would wait till the priest came out with the Blessed Sacrament. Then he would join the procession, running from one side to the other as if he was appointed to keep order. Once, the bell was rung about midnight. The dog instantly jumped up to go in all haste to the church, but the doors of the house were all locked so that he could not get out. He went to his masters bedroom, whining and barking, in order to awaken him. Not being successful, he went to another person in the house whom he pulled by his clothes to the door of the house and held on to him until he opened the door.
Once, in Holy Week he watched for 24 hours successively when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the sepulcher. He would not permit the slightest irreverence in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and as long as he was in the church, no one dared to sit or stand. On one occasion, as the Viaticum was being carried to a sick person, the dog found a peddler asleep on the road-side; he barked until the man awoke, uncovered his head and knelt while the Viaticum was passing. On another occasion the dog forced a country woman who was riding on a donkey to dismount and adore the Blessed Sacrament.
Sometimes he was mistaken in the signal and would run to the church when the bell had rung for a funeral; in such cases he would return immediately. No one, not even his owner, was able to break him of this habit with the Blessed Sacrament. Whether they tried to entice him with food, or tied him up, all was in vain. The dog would snap at the meat once or twice, then, as if fearing to be late, would run to the church. Or he would howl so dreadfully that they were glad to release him.
Thus, has God been pleased to give us, through a creature devoid of understanding, a lesson in our duty.
Source: Fr. Nelson, Ave Maria Magazine.