Why is the blessing of Saint Blaise requested?

Tradition recalls healing miracles attributed to the saint; the Church blesses the faithful on his feast, especially for health of the throat.

Saint Blaise

Feast day: February 3

Bishop and martyr invoked for health of the throat.

Blaise was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia in the early fourth century.

During Diocletian's persecutions, he hid in the mountains and aided persecuted Christians.

Tradition tells of healing a child choking on a fish bone, a miracle that made him patron of throat ailments.

Imprisoned and tortured, he remained faithful to Christ and was beheaded around the year 316.

The blessing of throats on his feast dates to the Middle Ages and remains widespread in the Church.

His liturgical feast is February 3.

To the bishop and martyr invoked for throat ailments, we ask healing and intercession.