Thoughts on the Feast of Saint Blaise

After checking two of my calendars, I found reminders that today is the feast of Saint Blaise, but I really didn't need the reminders.

For some reason I always remember the feast of St. Blaise, patron saint of throat ailments. While attending Catholic schools, Feb 3 was special because of the blessing of the throats.

On this day, after Mass, priests place two blessed candles, one touching each side of believers' throats. The priests say the blessing of St. Blaise to deliver the believers from ailments of the throat and other evils.

St. Blaise was a 4th Century Aremnian bishop and martyr known for his kindness and healing. He was sought by believers to cure medical conditions of loved ones and animals. St. Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals and throat ailments. According to tradition, a young boy had a fishbone caught in his throat and was about to die when his family brought him to St. Blaise, who cured him.

The year my husband was in Vietnam, my infant daughter and I lived with my parents, who belonged to St. Blaise parish in Maryland Heights, MO. That parish has since been renamed, but I still think of it as St. Blaise parish.

As a writer, I find stories about saints and historic characters fascinating, so I thought I'd share my thoughts about the feast of St. Blaise.