Blessing of Throats

Friday, February 3, 2023 is the Feast of Saint Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia during the fourth century.  The Blessing of Throats will conferred at the Masses celebrated on this special feast day.

Little is known about the life of St. Blaise, but according to various accounts he was a physician before becoming a bishop.  Devotion to him spread throughout the entire Church in the Middle Ages because he was reputed to have miraculously cured a little boy who nearly died due to a fishbone stuck in his throat.  From the eighth century he has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat.

In further recognition of the saint and the tradition associated with his feast, a Blessing of Throats will be generally conferred to all who attend the February 4/5, 2023 Vigil/Sunday Masses with the priest, extending his hands over the people (without holding crossed candles), saying the prayer of blessing as the conclusion to the Universal Prayer.  (Book of Blessings, no. 1628.)  An individual blessing will be available after each of the weekend Masses for those who desire.