Blaise was chosen Bishop of the city of Sebaste in Armenia, in which place he enjoyed a great reputation for virtue. When Diocletian began to make the Christians the objects of his insatiable cruelty, the Saint hid himself in a cave on Mount Argaeus, where he lay till he was found by some of the soldiers of Agricolaus the Governor, who were out hunting. He was brought before the Governor, who commanded him to be thrown into irons. While he was in prison, Blaise healed many of the sick, who were brought to him on account of his reputation of saintliness, and among others a boy who had been despaired of by the physicians, and who at the point of death, from a thorn which had become fixed in his throat. Blaise appeared twice before the Governor, but neither cajolements nor threats could induce him to sacrifice to the gods. He was first beaten with rods, and afterwards put on the rack, where his flesh was mangled with iron combs. At last his head was cut off, whereby he finished a noble testimony to the faith which is in Christ our Lord. He bore witness on the 3rd day of February.
The blessing of throats traces back to the 8th century.
St. Blaise was bishop of Sebaste in Cappadocia, and was martyred by beheading about A.D. 316. One day St Blaise met a poor woman whose only pig had been snatched up in the fangs of a wolf but at the command of the bishop the wolf restored the pig alive to its owner. The woman did not forget the favor, for later, when the bishop was languishing in prison, she brought him tapers to dispel the darkness and gloom. To this story may be attributed the practice of using lighted candles in bestowing the blessing of St. Blaise. While in prison he performed a wonderful cure on a boy who had a fishbone lodged in his throat and who was in danger of choking to death. From this account we have the longtime custom of invoking the Saint for all kinds of throat trouble.
Blessing of the candles
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
R. May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
God, almighty and all-mild, by thy Word alone thou created the manifold things in the world, and willed that that same Word by whom all things were made take flesh in order to redeem mankind; thou are great and immeasurable, awesome and praiseworthy, a worker of marvels. Hence in professing his faith in thee the glorious martyr and bishop, Blaise, did not fear any manner of torment but gladly accepted the palm of martyrdom. In virtue of which thou bestowed on him, among other gifts, the power to heal all ailments of the throat. And now we implore thy majesty that, overlooking our guilt and considering only his merits and intercession, it may please thee to bless + and sanctify + and impart thy grace to these candles. Let all men of faith whose necks are touched with them be healed of every malady of the throat, and being restored in health and good spirits let them return thanks to thee in your holy Church, and praise thy glorious name which is blessed forever; through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
They are sprinkled with holy water.
Prayer:
After blessing the candles on the feast of St. Blaise, the priest holds two candles fastened like a cross to the throat of the person kneeling before him, and says:
By the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every malady of the throat, and from every possible mishap; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.
St. Blaise was bishop of Sebaste in Cappadocia, and was martyred by beheading about A.D. 316. One day St Blaise met a poor woman whose only pig had been snatched up in the fangs of a wolf but at the command of the bishop the wolf restored the pig alive to its owner. The woman did not forget the favor, for later, when the bishop was languishing in prison, she brought him tapers to dispel the darkness and gloom. To this story may be attributed the practice of using lighted candles in bestowing the blessing of St. Blaise. While in prison he performed a wonderful cure on a boy who had a fishbone lodged in his throat and who was in danger of choking to death. From this account we have the longtime custom of invoking the Saint for all kinds of throat trouble.
Blessing of the candles
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
R. May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
God, almighty and all-mild, by thy Word alone thou created the manifold things in the world, and willed that that same Word by whom all things were made take flesh in order to redeem mankind; thou are great and immeasurable, awesome and praiseworthy, a worker of marvels. Hence in professing his faith in thee the glorious martyr and bishop, Blaise, did not fear any manner of torment but gladly accepted the palm of martyrdom. In virtue of which thou bestowed on him, among other gifts, the power to heal all ailments of the throat. And now we implore thy majesty that, overlooking our guilt and considering only his merits and intercession, it may please thee to bless + and sanctify + and impart thy grace to these candles. Let all men of faith whose necks are touched with them be healed of every malady of the throat, and being restored in health and good spirits let them return thanks to thee in your holy Church, and praise thy glorious name which is blessed forever; through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
They are sprinkled with holy water.
Prayer:
After blessing the candles on the feast of St. Blaise, the priest holds two candles fastened like a cross to the throat of the person kneeling before him, and says:
By the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every malady of the throat, and from every possible mishap; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.
