St. Blaise
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.
Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals because of his care for them and of those with throat maladies.
In His Footsteps:Take time as Saint Blaise did to find out how you can help wild animals. Find out what is being done to support and protect the wildlife in your area. There is wildlife everywhere, even in cities. Even a birdfeeder can help God's creatures survive.
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
Copyright 1996-2000 by Terry Matz. All Rights Reserved.
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I had been suffering with different ailments for 6 plus years, primarily around the throat and neck. All tests from the doctors were negative and I attributed some of it to menopause. This past February I had my throat blessed in my church by Father Bill on St. Blaise day. Within a month I was involved in a minor car accident in which I was rear ended which sent me to the hospital for an xray and cat scan. The cat scan revealed a thryroid issue. This began my path to recovery and feeling well again, as well as avoiding much more serious illness. I was truly blessed! by Father Bill and St. Blaise!
Dear St Blaise please help Pauline who is suffering from thyroid cancer . please pray for her she is very weak now and needs a miracle thankyou.
I am Catholic and went to Catholic school. In high school, our chaplain came around doing the blessing of the throats. We each got a blessing. I had a sore throat, but I did not think much of it. My faith was weak and I did not think anything would happen. I did not even consider it. I just went through the motions and walked away. Suddenly, I swallowed, and my throat no longer hurt. A miracle! I told 2 guys next to me and even my teacher, but secretly I think they did not believe me. Well, I'm almost certain they didn't. I was a class clown and they thought I was looking for attention. But, thank you St. Blaise for interceding for me. To this day, when I am feeling weak in my faith or doubting God's existence in my life, I think of that preternatural moment. May God's will be done. Continue praying folks.
I need your help St. Blaise to ask the Good Lord to heal my throat...AmenI
I like the life of San Blaise. I would like to know more about him.
Asking St. Blaise that today on your feast day ,you send your special help to our life long friend who is being treated for throat cancer. We received our blessing in church today and our friend is to weak to be out in public.We ask that you send him your spiritual blessing and healing so that next year he will be able to receive your blessing in person. God Bless!
Dear St. Blaise, I don't have your story in my saint books but now i know alot about you.
please protect all the wild animals in the world and all of the kids with sick throats.
Mikayla, 6 yrs old.
St. Blaise, please pray for my nephew who battles throat cancer.
I had trouble swallowing pills when a child. It appeared to be a problem that I ourgrew as I got older, but now in my sixties, it is a problem that I am well aware of. When trying to swallow pills, one appears to get stuck in my trhoat and for some reason I can't swallow it. It evidently begins to dissolve in mu throat. Today I happened to be in a catholic church (St. Davids in Willow Grove Pennsylvania) where they mentioned that today was the Feast Day of St. Blaise, the patron saint for the healing of throats and other aillments. They also mentioned that after the mass they would do throat blessings. I remember the throat blessings when I was a child at St. Annes church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the Port Richmond section of Philly. Looking forward to my throat healing. Thank you Heavenly Father.
Dear St. Blaise, please heal my throat. I have had cancer in my throat three times now and never knew to pray to you until now. I have had two operations. One where they took out half my tongue, my voicebox and by lymph nodes. they rebuilt my tongue from skin and muscle from my left thigh. The second operation took a big chunk of my neck which was rebuit from using my right pectoral muscle in my chest. I have had a total of sixty eight radiation treatments and a series of chemo treatments as well. I am holding my own now for over two years. I have another scan scheduled for Tuesday. I pray to you that all goes well. Thank you. Amen.
Please pray for Jacob that he finds peace and the right path, for his moter that the doctors can slow the progression of her disease and for all cancer patients that we deal with our disease with grace and dignity. Thank you.
happy feast day St. Blaise. please help my mom with her throat and GERD. thank you
St. Blaise, please pray for us to be more kind and friendly towards animals.
St. Blaise please pray for my difficulty swallowing and for all those who have difficulty with swallowing/throat issues on your feast day. Pray also for our wildlife and animals. Thank you for your prayers. In Christ's name, Amen.
3rd feb 2013:st blaise pray for all otorhinolaryngologists!
Dear St. Blaise, Please watch over my friend Mike. He is very uncomfortable right now and needs lots of love and prayers. After under going cancer surgery, he now has more throat problems. Sunday is your feast day. Mike will not be able to come to get his throat blessed, but please give him a conditional blessing. I ask this in Jesus's name.
I was reminded of your healing and prayers from many years ago. Most forgotten Saint there is a desease attacking our world, it's called HPV. Please intervene and stop this virus. A mother asked me for help for her 14 year old daughter. I am sick as well and offered my mind and heart. There is a suspision from an acquaintance that this desease root cause is animal related, especially horses. As a lover of these majistic animals I fear this will make AIDS look like the common cold. It makes to much sence that many of the gromers travel around the world and live in deplorable conditions. The worst is now man and animal are spreading this throat virus. I am no Doctor and am only asking for this Powerful Saint to intervien. If this virus can be stopped then only faith can heal it. I start Medical treatments for cancer in 2 days. I fear they are restricted by clinical knowledge and need Saint Belise guidence and strength.
St. Blaise please say a prayer for my wife, the Doctors say that there is suspicion of thyroid
cancer. Please pray for her.
My first born son is called Blaise. I love him very much and pray to all those who have throat problems to be healed through st. blaise.
blaise is my last name and i recently got my tonssils removed.