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Saint Blaise and the blessing of throats: A tradition of faith and healing

Tableau du maître-autel “Saint-Blaise” (vers 1740). Photo: Picryl.com.

As Catholics, practices that others might find unusual are second nature to us—and sometimes even taken for granted. We venerate relics, pray with beads, process through the streets with floats, and turn to St Anthony when something is lost.

In the same way, we celebrate the 3 February feast of St Blaise with a unique and beautiful tradition—the blessing of throats.

St Blaise was a 3rd-century Armenian bishop known for his deep faith, fervent love for God and his people, and a reputation for working miracles even during his lifetime. His unwavering witness to Christianity made him a target of persecution by the Romans in Cappadocia, where he was living. When his arrest was ordered, St Blaise fled to the wilderness, continuing his mission in service to God despite the challenges he faced.

St Blaise is renowned for his miraculous healing powers, particularly concerning throat ailments. According to legend, a boy suffering from a fishbone lodged in his throat—or another severe throat malady—was brought to St Blaise as a last resort. The boy was on the brink of death, with no hope of recovery. Saint Blaise prayed over him, blessed him, and miraculously, the boy was healed.

This established St Blaise as the patron saint for those afflicted with throat injuries and diseases. It is from this miraculous act of healing that the Catholic Church commemorates his feast day and has the blessing of throats on the Feast of St Blaise.

Father Joseph Holcomb blesses Christine Menna during the annual blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blaise at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Feb. 3. The blessing recalls the life of fourth-century bishop and martyr St. Blaise, who is credited with saving the life of a boy choking on a fish bone. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Feb. 3, 2009)

After undergoing surgery to remove half my thyroid in September 2023, I felt it important to participate in the blessing on the fest of St Blaise. Having not heard of it before falling ill, it felt like God was giving me an avenue of grace to use. I received the blessing of the throat with the hope that I would not fall ill again, or that if I did, that God would give me the strength, peace and hope to endure it gracefully.

Many countries have slight variations of how to impart the blessing. It is usually the priest or deacon who follows the rite and prayers to bestow over the people seeking the blessing.

Sometimes due to lack of time the priest will give a general blessing however, I was fortunate enough to receive an individual one. As I approached the priest, I knelt before him, and he crossed two candles bound with a red ribbon, touching my neck with them as he recited the blessing, which went along the lines of:

“Through the intercession of St Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

While somewhat forgotten, this unique blessing is a wonderful reminder of the power of God’s love and co-operative nature.

I encourage all who are currently facing disease or illness, particularly of the throat or neck, to seek out the St Blaise blessing on 3 February. There are many parishes throughout Sydney doing it including St Mary’s Cathedral.

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