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St. Blaise
Feastday: February 3
Patron of Throat Illnesses
Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast
day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this
day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against
the throat as the blessing is said. Saint Blaise's protection of
those with throat troubles apparently comes from a legend that a
boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The
boy was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him.
Very few facts are known about Saint Blaise. We believe
he was a bishop of Sebastea in Armenia who was martyred under the
reign of Licinius in the early fourth century.
The legend of his life that sprang up in the eighth
century tell us that he was born in to a rich and noble family who
raised him as a Christian. After becoming a bishop, a new persecution
of Christians began. He received a message from God to go into the
hills to escape persecution. Men hunting in the mountains discovered
a cave surrounded by wild animals who were sick. Among them Blaise
walked unafraid, curing them of their illnesses. Recognizing Blaise
as a bishop, they captured him to take him back for trial. On the
way back, he talked a wolf into releasing a pig that belonged to
a poor woman. When Blaise was sentenced to be starved to death,
the woman, in gratitude, sneaked into the prison with food and candles.
Finally Blaise was killed by the governor.
Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals because
of his care for them and of those with throat maladies.
In His Footsteps:
Take time as Saint Blaise did to find out how you can help wild
animals. Find out what is being done to support and protect the
wildlife in your area. There is wildlife everywhere, even in cities.
Even a birdfeeder can help God's creatures survive.
Prayer:
Saint Blaise, pray for us that we may not suffer from illnesses
of the throat and pray that all who are suffering be healed by God's
love. Amen
Copyright 1996 by Terry Matz. All Rights
Reserved.
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