SAINT FOR THE WEEK ST. BLAISE — THURSDAY FEBRUARY 3RD

You may be familiar with the annual “blessing of throats” that many parishes in the United States use to commemorate the beloved bishop and martyr. St. Blaise lived in the fourth century in Turkey and Armenia. Due to religious persecution, he was forced to flee and hide in a cave in the back country in order to save his life.

History has it that one day a group of hunters stumbled upon where St. Blaise was living. They found him kneeling in prayer, surrounded by wolves, lions and bears that he had tamed. The legend has it that the hunters dragged Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command, the child was able to cough up the bone and thus lived.

Today we remember the saint on his feast day by taking two candles, crossing them against the throat, and saying the following prayer:

Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, my God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The blessing of throats will take place at the 12:05 Mass on Thursday, February 3rd.