Saints
St. Blaise – Patron Saint of Throat Illnesses
Biography of St. Blaise
Saint Blaise was a 4th century Christian bishop and martyr who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. He is the patron saint of throats and is often invoked for protection against diseases of the throat.
Blaise was born in what is now modern-day Turkey and was ordained as a bishop in the city of Sebastea. He was known for his kindness and compassion towards the poor and the sick, and was reputed to have the gift of healing.
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Licinius, Blaise was arrested and imprisoned because of his faith. While in prison, he is said to have cured a boy who was choking on a fish bone, which led to his association with the protection of throats.
Blaise was eventually brought to trial and was sentenced to death. Legend has it that while he was being led to his execution, he came across a woman whose pig had run off, and he prayed for her and the pig was returned to her. This event led to Blaise’s association with animals.
Blaise was martyred by being beaten and then beheaded. His remains were later recovered and were interred in a church in Sebastea.
After his death, Blaise became widely venerated as a saint, and his cult spread throughout the Christian world. He is particularly revered in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is considered one of the 14 Holy Helpers, a group of saints who are believed to be especially powerful intercessors.
In the Catholic Church, Blaise is the patron saint of throats and is invoked for protection against diseases of the throat. His feast day is celebrated on February 3rd.
In addition to his association with throats and animals, Blaise is also the patron saint of wool combers, plumbers, and carpenters. His intercession is also sought for protection against wild animals and for relief from toothaches.
St. Blaise is often depicted in art holding two crossed candles, which are believed to symbolize the light of Christ shining through him. He is also sometimes depicted with a comb, a reference to his association with wool combers.
St. Blaise’s relics are preserved in the Cathedral of St. Blaise in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and his feast day is celebrated with a special blessing of throats, during which candles are used to make the sign of the cross over the throats of those seeking his intercession.
Popular St. Blaise Medal and St. Blaise Rosary
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The Blessing of the Throats on the Feast of St. Blaise
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Blaise on February 3rd. On this day, Catholics may attend Mass and pray for the intercession of St. Blaise for protection against diseases of the throat and other ailments.
One of the most popular traditions associated with the feast of St. Blaise is the blessing of throats. During this ceremony, priests or bishops bless the throats of the faithful by making the sign of the cross over them with two crossed candles. The candles are believed to represent the light of Christ shining through St. Blaise.
In some places, the blessing of throats is incorporated into the Mass or is held as a separate service. It may also be done in hospitals or nursing homes, or wherever there is a need.
Some Catholics also observe the feast of St. Blaise by wearing a medal or pendant with the image of St. Blaise, or by carrying a small relic of the saint with them. Others may pray the prayer to St. Blaise for protection against throat diseases, or recite the St. Blaise prayer for animals, which asks for his intercession for the protection of animals and the relief of their ailments.
Overall, the feast of St. Blaise is a day for Catholics to ask for the intercession of this beloved saint for protection and healing, particularly for diseases of the throat and other ailments.
Prayers to Saint Blaise
Prayer of Intercession to St. Blaise
O GOD, deliver us through the intercession of Thy holy bishop and martyr St. Blaise, from all evil of soul and body, especially from all ills of the throat; and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the confident hope of obtaining Thy pardon, and ever to praise with worthy lips Thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Blaise for Healing
Glorious St. Blaise, patron saint of healing, I come to you today seeking your intercession. I am in need of your help and your divine assistance.
Please intercede on my behalf with the Lord, and ask that I may be healed of this illness or affliction that afflicts me. Grant me the strength and the courage to endure this trial, and help me to trust in the Lord’s loving care.
I ask for your prayers and your protection, St. Blaise, and I place all of my hope and my confidence in your powerful intercession. Amen.
Prayer to St. Blaise for healing of throats
Dear St. Blaise, patron saint of throats, I come before you today seeking your intercession and guidance. I ask for your protection and healing for my throat and all of my vocal cords. Keep me free from illness and discomfort, that I may speak clearly and confidently.
Help me to use my voice to bring joy and inspiration to others, and to always speak words of truth and love. Grant me the wisdom to use my voice for good, and to always choose my words carefully and kindly.
I pray that through your intercession, I may be a blessing to those around me, and that my voice may always bring honor and glory to God. Amen.
Children’s Story about the life of St. Blaise
St. Blaise was a kind and gentle man who lived many, many years ago in a place called Turkey. He was a bishop, which means he was a very important person in the church.
St. Blaise loved helping people, especially the poor and the sick. He had a special gift for healing, and many people came to him for help. St. Blaise was always happy to do whatever he could to make people feel better.
One day, the Roman Emperor Licinius became angry with St. Blaise because he was a Christian. The emperor didn’t like Christians, and he wanted to punish St. Blaise for believing in Jesus. So he had St. Blaise thrown into prison.
But even in prison, St. Blaise didn’t stop helping people. One day, he saw a little boy who was choking on a fish bone. St. Blaise prayed to God and the boy was healed. From that day on, St. Blaise became known as the patron saint of throats.
Eventually, the emperor decided to put St. Blaise on trial. But St. Blaise wasn’t afraid, because he knew he had done nothing wrong. He was brave and strong, and he stood up for his faith.
The emperor was very angry, and he sentenced St. Blaise to death. But even as he was being led to his execution, St. Blaise kept helping people. He saw a woman whose pig had run away, and he prayed for her. And guess what happened? The pig came back!
St. Blaise was martyred, which means he was killed because of his faith. But his love and kindness lived on, and people all over the world began to pray to him for help. They asked him to protect them from diseases of the throat, and to help their animals when they were sick.
And even today, people still pray to St. Blaise for help. They wear medals with his picture on them, and they ask for his blessing on special occasions. St. Blaise may not be with us anymore, but his love and kindness will always be remembered.
Reflection on the Feast of Saint Blaise
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Blaise on February 3rd.
Today is the feast day of St. Blaise, a martyr of the early Christian Church who is the patron saint of those who are suffering from throat diseases. As part of the liturgy, a blessing of throats is held in honor of St. Blaise and to ask for his intercession in protecting against throat diseases.
According to tradition, St. Blaise devoted the early years of his life to studying philosophy and later became a physician. He was ordained a priest and became the bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. During this time, he was arrested and imprisoned by the governor, Agricola. On his way to prison, a mother whose child was suffering from a throat disease begged for his help. St. Blaise prayed for the child and it was cured, leading to his reputation as a patron of throat diseases.
After enduring cruel tortures, St. Blaise was martyred in the year 316. The blessing of throats involves the crossing of two candles, representing the cross of Christ and the intercession of St. Blaise. I
t is believed that through his merits, those receiving the blessing will be protected from throat diseases and other evils. In addition to his role as the patron saint of throat diseases, St. Blaise is also the patron saint of animals.
Saints Similar to St. Blaise
You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Valentine of Rome. St. Blaise and St. Valentine of Rome were early Christian saints known for their acts of compassion and healing. St. Blaise is the patron saint of those with throat ailments. St. Valentine is associated with love and affection, celebrated on Valentine’s Day. Next up: Biography of St. Bonaventure
Also check out our handmade St. Blaise Medal and St. Blaise Rosary and St. Blaise Rosary Bracelet.