feast of st. blaise
Psalm 3, Verse 7
I do not fear, then, thousands of people arrayed
against me on every side.
Psalm
three is an individual lament complaining of enemies who deny that God will
come to the rescue. Despite such taunts the psalmist hopes for God’s protection
even in sleep. The Psalm prays for an end to the enemies’ power to speak
maliciously and closes peacefully with an expression of trust.[1]
While he was in prison, the Armenian Bishop
Blaise (who suffered martyrdom in the fourth century) miraculously cured a
little boy choking on a fishbone lodged in his throat. Ever since then, St.
Blaise has been the patron saint of throats. Saint Blaise Sticks
(pan bendito) are distributed on his feast and kept in the home to
be eaten for a sore throat. The most popular custom, however, is the Blessing
of Throats.
Blessing of throats[3]
The rite of the blessing of throats may
take place before or after Mass. The priest or deacon places the candles around
the throat of whoever seeks the blessing, using the formula: "Through the
intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you free from
every disease of the throat, and from every other disease. In the name of the
Father and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen."
Things
to Do
·
Take
your children to Mass to receive the blessing of throats today.
·
Establish
a home altar with the blessed candles (symbols of Saint Blaise) from the feast
of the Presentation, February 2.
Daily
Devotions
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