⛪ Saint of the Day : February 3
⛪ Other Names :
Biagio, Blase, Blasius
⛪ Born : Armenian
⛪ Died :
Flesh torn by iron wool-combs, then beheaded c.316
⛪ Patronage :
• against angina • against bladder diseases • against blisters • against coughs • against dermatitis • against dropsy • against eczema • against edema • against fever • against goitres • against headaches • against impetego • against respiratory diseases • against skin diseases • against snake bites • against sore throats • against stomach pain • against storms • against teething pain • against throat diseases • against toothaches • against ulcers • against whooping cough • against wild beasts • angina sufferers • animals • cattle • children • healthy throats • motorists • pack horses • pets • pigs • bakers • brick layers • builders • carvers • cobblers, show makers • construction workers • cowherds • farm workers • hat makers, hatters • millers • musicians who play wind instruments • plasterers • sock makers • stocking makers • stone cutters, stone masons • swineherds • tailors • tanners • veterinarians • wool-combers • wool weavers • Dalmatia • Paraguay • 21 cities •
Saint Blase devoted the earlier years of his life to the study of philosophy, and afterwards became a physician. In the practice of his profession he saw so much of the miseries of life and the hollowness of worldly pleasures, that he resolved to spend the rest of his days in the service of God, and from being a healer of bodily ailments to become a physician of souls. The bishop of Sebaste, in Arminia, having died, our Saint, much to the gratification of the inhabitants of that city, was appointed to succeed him. Saint Blase at once began to instruct his people as much by his example as by his words, and the great virtues and sanctity of this servant of God was attested by many miracles. From all parts the people came flocking to him for the cure of bodily and spiritual ills. Agricolaus, Governor of Cappadocia and the lesser Armenia, having begun a persecution by order of the Emperor Licinius, our Saint was seized and hurried off to prison. Whilst on his way there, a distracted mother, whose only child was dying of a throat disease, threw herself at the feet of Saint Blase and implored his intercession. Touched at her grief, the Saint offered up his prayers, and the child was cured; and since that time his aid has often been effectually solicited in cases of a similar disease. Refusing to worship the false gods of the heathens, Saint Blase was first scourged; his body was then torn with hooks, and finally he was beheaded in the year 316.
Reflection – There is no sacrifice which, by the aid of grace, human nature is not capable of accomplishing. When Saint Paul complained to God of the violence of the temptation, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for power is made perfect in infirmity.”
Source : Pictorial Lives of the Saints
The blessing of St. Blaise :
According to the Acts, while Blaise was being taken into custody, a distraught mother, whose only child was choking on a fishbone, threw herself at his feet and implored his intercession. Touched at her grief, he offered up his prayers, and the child was cured. Consequently, Saint Blaise is invoked for protection against injuries and illnesses of the throat.
In many places on the day of his feast the blessing of St. Blaise is given: two burning candles, blessed on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord ("candlemas"), are held in a crossed position by a priest over the heads of the faithful or the people are touched on the throat with them. At the same time the following blessing is given: "May Almighty God at the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, preserve you from infections of the throat and from all other afflictions". Then the priest makes the sign of the cross over the faithful.
More Info :
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