St Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

A relative of mine is due to have a throat operation shortly so today's saint has strong significance for me as he is said to specialise in throat problems.


St. Blaise
Feastday: February 3
Patron of Throat Illnesses
Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. Saint Blaise's protection of those with throat troubles apparently comes from a legend that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him.
Very few facts are known about Saint Blaise. We believe he was a bishop of Sebastea in Armenia who was martyred under the reign of Licinius in the early fourth century.
The legend of his life that sprang up in the eighth century tell us that he was born in to a rich and noble family who raised him as a Christian. After becoming a bishop, a new persecution of Christians began. He received a message from God to go into the hills to escape persecution. Men hunting in the mountains discovered a cave surrounded by wild animals who were sick. Among them Blaise walked unafraid, curing them of their illnesses. Recognizing Blaise as a bishop, they captured him to take him back for trial. On the way back, he talked a wolf into releasing a pig that belonged to a poor woman. When Blaise was sentenced to be starved to death, the woman, in gratitude, sneaked into the prison with food and candles. Finally Blaise was killed by the governor.

Prayer:
Saint Blaise, pray for us that we may not suffer from illnesses of the throat and pray that all who are suffering be healed by God's love. Amen

In the Croatian city of Dubrovnik St Blaise is the local Patron Saint (As he is in Bradford, my former city of residence. This is as patron saint of woolcombers.) His image is seen all over the city as protector. Today the people will be out on the streets there for some colour, spectacle and tradition, with marching bands, religious processions and a heady cocktail of piety and carnival spirit. His big moment in Dubrovnik was seven centuries after his death when he appeared in a dream to a local priest warning of a Venetian attack which was then repulsed. His relics were later transferred there from the authorities in Byzantium. Today those relics will be part of the procession. Pilgrims will be allowed to touch his skull kept in a jewel encrusted gold casket in the form of a Byzantine crown of the 11th century. His right arm will be lifted high and waved in blessing over the crowds.

The cynical and the sceptic may mock but the common people will continue to act instinctively in their desire to make contact with the mystery of God.