Feast of St. Blaise and Blessing of the Throats

Photo by Jane Winstead

Today is the feast of St. Blaise and the annual Blessing of the Throats. Father Tim blesses a tiny visitor named Dominic during 8 a.m. Mass today. Dominic, held by his mother, Francesca, is the godson of St. Raphael seminarian Bob Angel. Although she is a parishioner at St. Paul parish in downtown St. Petersburg, she and Dominic attend daily Mass at St. Raphael. Few facts are known about St. Blaise. He is believed to have been a bishop in Armenia (now Turkey). He died in 316. A legend that he healed a boy with a fishbone stuck in his throat gave rise to the tradition of the Blessing of the Throats. You can read more about the tradition of St. Blaise at uCatholic.com.