St. Blaise has been extremely
popular for centuries in both the Eastern and Western Churches.
He was a physician and a
Bishop in Armenia. He once saved a child who was choking on a fish bone, which
led to the blessing of throats on St. Blaise's feast day. He was beheaded in 316.
Blessing of Throats, from
"Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year"
85. On the day after the
Presentation of Our Lord, the memorial of Saint Blaise, it is customary in many
places to bless the throats of the faithful with two candles tied together with
a red ribbon to form a cross. The candles are privately blessed with the prayer
provided in the Book of Blessings or the preconciliar Roman Ritual, title IX,
chapter III. The rite of blessing of throats may take place before or after
Mass.
86. The priest or deacon
places the candles around the throat of whoevers seeks the blessing, using the
formula: "Through the intercession of Saint 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."
(wf-f.org)
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