St Blaise

I once belonged to a St. Blaise parish.  He was a bishop and martyr, but relatively few churches are named for him, I think.  Since I was a little girl I have known this saint because of the special throat blessing on this his feast day.  If the blessing is still done in most places it moves to the Sunday Mass which is neat because more people receive the blessing.

When I was little I came to some realization that the Protestants in my extended and close family knew nothing of St. Blaise and his throat blessing.  I explained it to myself this way--we Catholics eat fish every Friday.  (In those ancient days, fish had bones.)  So, we need our throat blessed to protect us from all those fish bones.

When I was old enough to understand things better, I wasn't all that thrilled by St. Blaise and his blessed throats.  It seemed like a superstition to me.  I was indifferent whether or not I had my throat blessed in early February.

But, as I have gotten older I have come to see things in a different light.  Why shun any blessing offered?  If St. Blaise joins is praying for me, and if I am blessed by the Priest in Christ's name, then I should be thankful and grateful for the blessings.  And I am. This past Sunday at Mass I had my throat blessed.  Thank you, St. Blaise for praying for me.