About 800 years ago, St. Francis of Assisi roamed the hills of Italy, living a life of poverty to love and serve others. Today the Rev. Jeremy Harrington, a 78-year-old member of Francis’ order, roams smaller hills within the lush gardens of a century-old monastery, tucked away in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington. Harrington oversees the monastery, its replicas of Holy Land shrines and the 20-or-so brothers and priests who live there. On Oct. 2, the monastery will hold the Blessing of the Animals, a ceremony meant to celebrate the connection St. Francis found between God’s goodness and God’s creatures. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?

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