St. Blase was from Armenia. The priest blesses the people’s throats in the Catholic Church, today, February 3, with double candles that were blessed on the Feast of Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus yesterday on February 2. St. Blase hid in a cave during the persecutions of the early Church. The persecutions came in waves and emerged when they had passed. All of the animals were drawn to St. Blase in the cave where he was because he was so holy and so gentle. The Emperor would send out hunters to capture wild beasts for the anicent version of Michael Vick dog fighting. The animals seemed holy themselves because they were surrounded by St. Blase. Eventually, St. Blase was eventually captured and violently murdered. He received wax candles. We bless throats on this day because, according to legend, he blessed a boy choking a bone and miraculously cured him. It is good his feast day occurs in the middle of winter with the coughs and colds going around.
I listened to a sermon from Bishop Dolan on traditionalcatholicsermons.org before writing this piece. His sermon also included a brief discussion on St. Francis de Sales, whose feast day was January 29.
