Blessing of Throats - February 3

St. Blaise enjoyed widespread veneration in the Eastern and Western Churches due to many cures attributed to him.
According to tradition, he was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and was martyred under Licinius.
On this day the Church gives a "Blessing of the Throats" in honor of St. Blaise. While in prison, Blaise ministered to and healed fellow prisoners, including saving a child who was choking on a fish bone; this led to the blessing of throats on Blaise's feast day.

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 rite of the blessing of throats may take place before or after Mass.

The priest or deacon places the candles around the throat of whoever seeks the blessing, using the formula:

"Through the intercession of St. 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)."

St. Blaise, Pray for Us!

For further reading, click HERE.