Saint Blase, Bishop & Martyr
S. Blasii Episcopi et Martyris
Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and a martyr of the early fourth century, Saint Blase is honoured throughout the Church for the blessing of throats given on his feast. He is invoked against diseases of the throat and is counted among the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
Saint Blase was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and suffered martyrdom, according to tradition, during the persecutions of the early fourth century, around the year 316. While the broad outline of his life — that he was a bishop and a martyr of the East — is firmly held in the Church’s memory, the detailed accounts of his sufferings were written long after his death and cannot all be verified historically. The Church honours him chiefly as a faithful shepherd who laid down his life for Christ.
The Blessing of Throats
A long and cherished tradition relates that while imprisoned Saint Blase healed a boy who was choking on a fishbone and in danger of death. From this account grew the custom, kept to this day, of the blessing of throats on his feast. The priest holds two candles, blessed the day before on Candlemas and joined in the form of a cross, against the throat of each of the faithful, praying: “Through the intercession of Saint Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every ailment of the throat and from every other evil.” It is one of the most beloved sacramentals of the Catholic year.
Among the Holy Helpers
Because of his reputation as a healer, Saint Blase came to be numbered among the Fourteen Holy Helpers, the saints especially invoked in the Middle Ages against sickness and sudden death. Devotion to him spread widely through both the Eastern and Western Churches. On his feast the faithful gratefully seek his intercession, mindful that all true healing comes from God, who is wonderful in His saints.
The Collect
O God, who dost gladden us by the annual solemnity of blessed Blase, Thy Martyr and Bishop: mercifully grant that we who keep his heavenly birthday may also rejoice in his protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Deus, qui nos beati Blasii Martyris tui atque Pontificis annua sollemnitate laetificas: concede propitius; ut, cuius natalitia colimus, de eiusdem etiam protectione gaudeamus. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Patronage
He is invoked against diseases of the throat and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers; he is also venerated as a patron of wool-combers and of physicians.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar his celebration on 3 February is retained as an optional memorial.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Blase?
His feast is kept on 3 February. In the 1962 Missal it is a commemoration of the Fourth Class; in the modern calendar it is an optional memorial on the same day.
What is the blessing of throats?
It is a sacramental given on Saint Blase’s feast. The priest holds two candles, blessed on Candlemas and crossed against the throat of each person, and prays that, through the intercession of Saint Blase, God may preserve them from ailments of the throat and from every evil.
Why is Saint Blase associated with the throat?
According to tradition he saved the life of a boy who was choking on a fishbone. From this account arose the custom of invoking him for the healing and protection of the throat.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.
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