St. Blaise Blessing of Throats and Prayer
St. Blaise was a bishop of Sebaste in Armenia who was martyred around the year 316. A beloved story tells how, on the way to prison, he healed a boy who was choking on a fish bone. Ever since, Catholics have turned to him for protection against illnesses of the throat, and on his feast, February 3, priests bless throats with two crossed candles blessed the day before on Candlemas.
The blessing words below are the traditional formula; the priest says them while holding the candles to the throat. At home, you can pray the collect and ask St. Blaise's help for sore throats, singers and speakers, children with croup, and anyone with illness of the throat.
The Prayer
Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver thee from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Let us pray. O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly festival of blessed Blaise, Thy Martyr and Bishop: mercifully grant that we who celebrate his heavenly birthday may also rejoice in his protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sources: Traditional formula for the Blessing of Throats (Roman Ritual) and collect for a martyr bishop, traditional Roman Missal (English), public domain.
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