Wednesday, February 3 Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr
Masses:
7:00 AM (Our Lady of Sorrows)
8:00 AM (St. Anthony)
6:30 PM (St. Anthony, Creole)
Services:
8:45 AM (Our Lady of Sorrows)
7:00 PM (Our Lady of Sorrows)
Who was St. Blaise and why are throats blessed on his feast day?
St. Blaise was the bishop of Sebaste, Armenia, in the early fourth century. He was imprisoned and later martyred for the faith. Tradition passes on to us that St. Blaise was known for his ability to heal both people and animals. Two incidents are particularly significant, as they are reflected in the blessing we receive on his feast. Tradition says that a mother brought her son, who was choking to death on a fishbone, to the bishiop. The boy was healed.
When St. Blaise was being taken to prison, he encountered a poor woman whose pig had been taken by a wolf. At St. Blaise's command, the wolf brought back the pig unharmed. The woman is said to have brought St. Blaise food and candles while he was in prison.
The blessing of throats is related to the saint's healing of the boy who was choking. The use of two candles in the blessing is said to be in memory of candles brought to St. Blaise by the woman whose pig he had rescued.
