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The Italian saint is said to have lived alone for 34 years in a tiny cell, except for the company of two snakes.
The Irish saint lived as a hermit, and there is a story of a blackbird that once built a nest near his hut. Then Saint Kevin of Glendalough stood very still until the chicks hatched and fluttered away.
Before becoming a saint, he served as Pope Sylvester I. It is said that he used to take care of a bull.
Saint Austreberthe and her nuns used to rely on a donkey to carry sacristy cloths, so they could wash them. Once a wolf attacked the donkey, but asked for forgiveness from Saint Austrebertha. In the end, the wolf helped carry the laundry for the rest of his life.
Sources: (Catholic Concern for Animals) (Listverse) (Salt and Light Catholic Media )
The 19th-century Italian priest was known for being protected by a dog named Grigio, that only appeared when the saint needed protection.
The 9th-century Swiss monk is known for attracting flocks of birds, and a pair of ravens in particular. One day, two robbers killed the saint, but the ravens chased them and gave the alert to the population, who caught the culprits.
Saint Edmund was a Christian king of East Anglia (an area in the East of England) who was killed by Vikings, who beheaded him. The king's followers had the help of a wolf in finding St. Edmund's head. The animal was found guarding it in the woods.
Legend has it that the Peruvian saint could communicate with animals. Saint Martin de Porres is said to have lived with a dog, a cat, a mouse, and a bird.
The story goes that a bear attacked St. Corbinian’s horse and killed him, so he ordered the bear to put on the horse's saddle and carry his stuff. Saint Corbinian then released the bear into the wild when he arrived at his destination.
The Archbishop of Jerusalem was known for being able to heal animals. He is the patron saint of farm animals in Greece.
The Early Church Father who became archbishop of Constantinople said that "the saints are exceedingly loving and gentle to mankind and even to brute beasts… Surely we ought to show them great kindness and gentleness for many reasons, but above all, because they are the same origin as ourselves."
Saint Francis of Paola had a much loved trout, which he named Antonella. Until one day it was caught from the pool, cooked, and served to a priest for dinner. Saint Francis of Paola did, however, manage to revive the fish and return it to its pool.
Saint Francis of Assisi loved all creatures and lived in communion with nature. He is, to this day, the patron saint of animals. "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," said Saint Francis.
The Irish saint was converted to Christianity by Saint Patrick. Legend has it that a boar helped him build a hut in the woods by tearing down branches. Soon other animals joined them. Saint Ciaran the Younger called all animals "brothers" and "sisters."
The British monk from the 9th century is said to have rescued deer. One story says that he ordered a herd of deer to pull a plough after thieves stole the monastery's oxen.
Saint Petroc lived as a hermit in Cornwall, England, in the 4th century. He was known for rescuing animals from hunters and is sometimes portrayed with them.
Legend has it that Saint Jerome removed a thorn from the paw of a lion. In return, the animal quit eating other animals and joined Saint Jerome in the monastery until his death.
Born in Ireland, Saint Columba spent most of his life in Iona, off the coast of Scotland. Legend has it that a horse predicted the death of the saint and laid his head on him, proving that God gave this knowledge to the animal.
The French saint is the patron saint of dogs. On his feast day, celebrated on August 16, a dog blessing service is conducted by some churches to give thanks to the companionship of these animals.
Saint Melangell is the Welsh patron saint of animals. She is known to have saved hares who were being chased by hounds during a hunt led by the Prince of Powys, Brochwel Ysgithrog.
Legend has it that Saint Hubert used to be a hunter. One day, he was pursuing a stag, when suddenly a crucifix appeared between the animal's antlers and God spoke to him. Saint Hubert renounced hunting and lived a holy life from then on.
The 7th-century abbess from Belgium was known for her capacity to repel mice and rats, so she became the patron saint of cats, worshipped by cat lovers.
The Scottish shepherd-turned-monk became a hermit later in life, living in a small cell in the Farne Islands. Saint Cuthbert became the patron saint of otters, as two of them would come to warm up his feet when he stood waist-deep praying in the sea at night.
The bishop from Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) was an animal lover. The 'Liturgy of Saint Basil' contains a prayer with the following paragraph: "O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our brothers the animals to whom thou has given the earth as their home in common with us."
Also known as St. Anthony the Abbot, the Christian monk who lived as a hermit in Egypt is said to have had a pig that followed him everywhere.
The 16th-century Italian priest and animal lover is said to have embraced a vegetarian diet. He was known to set captive birds and other animals free whenever he could.
Saint Giles lived alone in the forest of Nimes, France, for a long time, except for one companion: a red deer. A hunter once shot the deer with an arrow, but hit Saint Giles instead. Saint Giles is the patron saint of people with disabilities.
Many examples of animal lovers can be found throughout the history of Christianity. For example, saints from different time periods and places have lived with animals, cared for them, healed them, and even saved them from hunters and other dangers.
In this gallery, we celebrate these men and women, who showed their respect and love for animals in the same way they did for their fellow humans. Click on to learn all about them.
Saints and their beloved animals
Some even adopted a vegetarian diet!
LIFESTYLE Christianity
Many examples of animal lovers can be found throughout the history of Christianity. For example, saints from different time periods and places have lived with animals, cared for them, healed them, and even saved them from hunters and other dangers.
In this gallery, we celebrate these men and women, who showed their respect and love for animals in the same way they did for their fellow humans. Click on to learn all about them.