Today is the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi.

If saints are your thing, you‘d be hard pressed to find one more beloved than St. Francis – unless you’ve misplaced your car keys, in which case St. Anthony is your man. I count myself fortunate in that I was able to visit Francis’ hometown before the devastating earthquakes of 1997.

Be sure to take a moment today to kiss your pet. Bless all animals! Then enjoy some of the music below.

Franz Liszt’s “Saint Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds” (piano)

Liszt’s “Saint Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds” (orchestra)

Francis Poulenc’s “Quatre petites prières de saint François d’Assise”

Paul Hindemith’s “Nobilissima Visione” (suite, conducted by the composer)

Hindemith’s “Nobilissima Visione” (rarely-heard complete version)