St. Andrew will offer the traditional throat blessing at the 8 a.m. Mass on Saturday, February 3rd. All are welcome.
About St. Blaise St. Blaise was a bishop and martyr who lived in the fourth century in what is now Turkey and Armenia. To escape persecution, he lived in a cave. On his feast day, the Church recalls a miracle cure associated with him and celebrates the blessing of the throat.
One notable miracle involved St. Blaise saving a boy who was choking on a fish bone. He stated that anyone who lit a candle in his memory would be free from infection, so candles are used during the traditional throat blessing. St. Blaise is listed among the Fourteen Holy Helpers, saints revered as healers. He is recognized as the patron saint of throat illnesses, animals, wool combers, and wool trading.
Blessing of the Throat On February 3rd, the Feast Day of St. Blaise, the Church celebrates the blessing of throats with candles, recalling the miracle associated with him.
St. Blaise asserted that anyone who lit a candle in his memory would be free from infection, leading to the use of candles during the traditional throat blessing. During the blessing, the candles are crossed against the throat, and the following prayer is said:
“Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may 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.“
Crossed Candles Crossed candles are a significant part of St. Blaise Day. They commemorate the mother of the boy who choked on the fishbone as she presented crossed candles to St. Blaise to light his way to jail when the ruler of Sebastea ordered his arrest. The blessing of throats uses crossed candles as a symbol of this act.