Feast of Saint Blaise
Each year, on or near February 3, the Feast of St. Blaise, parishes offer the Blessing of the Throats. Traditionally, candles that were blessed on Candlemas (February 2) are crossed against the throat while the priest or another designated minister prays: “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Saint Blaise was a bishop who was martyred in Armenia in 316. According to legend, he was an excellent physician in his hometown of Sebastea and studied many of the great philosophers. When the Bishop of Sebastea died, Blaise was chosen to replace him, and many are said to have come to him seeking spiritual and physical healing.
Although the Edict of Milan granting freedom of worship in the Roman Empire had been issued in 313 by co-ruling Emperors Constantine I and Licinius, persecution of Christians was still widespread. Fearing arrest, Bishop Blaise fled, living in a cave with only animals for company. Eventually, however, he was found and imprisoned.
According to legend, either while on his way to prison or while in prison, a mother came to him because her young son had a fish bone lodged in his throat. Upon Saint Blaise’s prayers, the child was able to cough up the bone. That is why he is considered the patron saint for relief from throat ailments.
Another legend has it that a woman came to him and begged him to save her pig who had been seized by a wolf. Bishop Blaise ordered the wolf to release the pig, and the wolf obeyed. Out of gratitude, the woman brought him two wax candles so he would have light in his prison cell.
Despite being beaten and tortured by Agricolaus, the governor of Cappadocia, Saint Blaise refused to deny his Christian faith. He was beheaded as a result.
Blessing of the Throat in Our Diocese
Many parishes will offer the blessing of the throats on her near the feast day. Below are some of the blessing of the throats scheduled.
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish, Madawaska
The blessing of the throats will take place after all Masses the weekend of January 31 and February 1: Saturday 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 309 St. Thomas Street, Madawaska; Saturday at 6 p.m. at St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel Church, 363 Main Street, Grand Isle; and Sunday 9 a.m. at St. David Church, 774 Main Street in Madawaska.
Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oquossoc
The blessing of the throats will be held on February 7 during the 4:30 p.m. Mass at Bell Chapel, 5085 Access Road, Carrabassett Valley and the 6 p.m. Mass at St. John Church, 76 Main Street in Stratton, and on February 8 during the 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Masses at St. Luke Church, 19 Lake Street in Rangeley.
Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Saint Agatha
The blessing of the throats will take place after all Masses the weekend of January 31 and February 1: Saturday 4 p.m. at St. Luce Church 441 U.S. Route one, Frenchville; Sunday 8:30 a.m. at St. Agatha Church, 379 Main Street, St. Agatha; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 413 Shore Road, Sinclair.
Parish of the Holy Eucharist, Falmouth
The blessing of the throats will be offered following all Masses on the weekend of February 7 & 8. A Mass schedule can be found here.
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bar Harbor
The blessing of the throats will be offered during the Saturday, January 31, 4 p.m. Mass at St. Peter Church, 5 Ocean House Hill Road in Southwest Harbor, and the Sunday, February 1, 10 a.m. Mass at Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor.
St. Agnes Parish, Island Falls
The blessing of the throats will be offered at St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street in Island Falls, following the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, January 31.
St. Joseph Parish, Ellsworth
The blessing of the throats will be offered at St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street in Ellsworth, during Masses the Saturday, January 31, 4 p.m. Mass and the Sunday, February 1, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses.
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton
The blessing of the throats will take place following the Sunday, February 1, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Houlton.
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor
The Blessing of the Throats will take place at the end of the February 3 Mass at St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street in Bangor, and the end of the 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Matthew Church, 70 Western Avenue in Hampden.
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias
The Blessing of the Throats will take place following the Saturday, January 31, 4:30 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street in Lubec, and following the Sunday, February 1, 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street in Machias, and 10:30 a.m. Mass at 51 Elm Street in Cherryfield.
Stella Maris Parish, Bucksport
The blessing of the throats will be held on Monday, February 2, at at 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Holy Hope Church, 137 Perkins Street, Castine, and at 8:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 60 Franklin Street in Bucksport. The blessing will also be offered on Tuesday, February 3, during the 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 8 Granite Street in Stonington.
