The Blessing of Throats - Rector's Rambling for February 5, 2017

Today we commemorate one of my favorite saints days – the Feast of St. Blase.  Yes, this is the saint where we have the Blessing of Throats.  We will bless throats after the 8:00 and 10:00 AM Masses in the chapel.  Why is he a favorite?  Perhaps it is the fond memories of being bundled up as a kid and brought to Church for a special weekday service in February to have my throat blessed – it made a deep impression on me!

According to the Anglican Breviary – “St. Blase is venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers; which same are certain Saints reputed to have a special power of intercession in heaven on behalf of those in peril or suffering on earth.  According to the common tradition, they were all martyrs, except St. Giles.  The Seven Holy Helpers are Acaius (against false accusations), Barbara (fire and lightning), Blase (ailments of the throat), Catherine of Alexandria (learned peoples), Christopher (travelers), Cyriacus (for clergy), Denys (mental illness), Erasmus (intestinal problems), Eustace (hunters and those with dangerous jobs), George (soldiers), Giles (good workmen, beggars and cripples), Margaret (the fearful), Pantaleon (those who care for the sick), and Vitus (limb infirmities).

The following of St. Blase is widespread because of the blessing of throats on his feast day.  The legend is that on the eve of his martyrdom, Blase healed a young man who was dying from having a thorn lodged in his throat.  Blase died in the 316.” (The Anglican Breviary, Frank Gavin Liturgical Press, 1965, p. 1102)

The Blessing of Throats is a request for God’s healing power through the gift of healing intercession given to St. Blase.  Just as many people here on earth exhibit special graces given to them by God the Holy Ghost (healing, teaching, speaking in tongues), so too the Church teaches that some Saints continue that gift from heaven by His mercy toward us.

Please join is in the chapel after the services today to have your throat blessed.