Monday, February 3, 2020

February 02, 2020

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]

Feast of St. Blaise^{^[2]}

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

· Ask for the Prayers and assistance of the Angels

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Nineveh 90-54 day rosary day 22

· Novena to the Holy Face Day 6

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan