Grace and Space

On the feast of St. Blaise, February 3, the blessing of the throat takes place. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open and press between the throat as the prayer of blessing is said.

Few facts are known about St. Blaise.  He was a bishop of Armenia who was martyred under the reign of Licinius in the early fourth century. St. Blaise was born into a rich and noble family who raised him as a Christian. Then he became a bishop. According to tradition, he received a special message from Jesus to go to the hills during a persecution. Hunters discovered him in a cave surrounded by animals. St. Blaise was curing the ailments of these animals when discovered by the hunters. The hunters captured him due to the bounty on his head and brought him to the governor. On coming down the mountain, St. Blaise encountered a wolf who was about to kill a pig; he asked the wolf not to eat the pig because the pig belonged to an old woman. The wolf released the pig. Out of gratitude when St. Blaise was in prison, the woman brought him bread and candles. While in prison, his guard complained about pain on his throat. St. Blaise touched his throat with a candle and his ailment was miraculously cured.The governor ordered his execution. Because of what he did to his guard, St. Blaise became known as healer of those with throat ailments, and patron of doctors and veterinarians.

 Novena to St. Blaise