On February 3rd every year, Christians flock to their local parish churches to receive a blessing of throats with blessed candles in honor of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss who St. Blaise was, what blessings are, and why we receive blessings on his feast day.
On February 3rd every year, Christians flock to their local parish churches to receive a blessing of throats with blessed candles in honor of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss who St. Blaise was, what blessings are, and why we receive blessings on his feast day.
St. Blaise was Bishop of Sebaste, modern day Turkey, in the beginning of the 4th century before his martyrdom in 316. He was a physician who was known for his miraculous healings, particularly healings involving the throat. This lead to the tradition of blessing throats on his feast day. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, being invoked against throat illnesses. “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
A blessing is an extension of the sacramental grace offered to us through the Sacraments. When we receive a blessing or get an object blessed, God’s graces are bestowed on us through the blessing as a medium. When we receive the blessing of the throat on St. Blaise’s feast day, we receive graces from God through the the blessing from the merit of the Sacraments that aid us in our infirmities.
Related On Mission episodes:
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Christmas Season
From the Ad Infinitum blog:
More posts about the Saints
Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website
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