Feast of St. Blaise

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Blaise.  The legend has it that as the hunters hauled Blaise off to prision, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat.  At Blaise's command the child was able to cough up the bone.  In honor of St. Blaise throats are usually blessed on this day.  As a young child I remember not really understanding how the priest was going to put the candles around my neck for the blessing.  It is a tradition that is still followed today.  In honor of St. Blaise we pray:

"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. Amen"

Pat Schifini, OSU