Faithful attended Masses on Feb. 3 for blessings of the throat at St. Mark in Huntersville and at Our Lady of Annunciation Church in Albemarle for the Feast of St. Blaise.
St. William Church in Murphy parishioners also received a blessing of the throats during weekend masses on the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr.
Blessing of throat with prayer for the intercession of St. Blaise was also conferred at Immaculate Conception in Forest City. The special candles used for the blessings were acquired by Deacon Andy Cilone at St. Blaise Church in Dubrovnik, Croatia, during a pilgrimage.
St. Blaise was a physician, and bishop who was martyred by being beaten, attacked with iron combs, and beheaded. His feast day is Feb. 3.
Little is known about St. Blaise prior to his mention in a court physician's medical journal. The physician, Aëtius Amidenus, spoke of St. Blaise's aid in treating objects caught in the throat. He was also mentioned in the book of Acts, where he was aided by animals and treated people and beasts alike.
“Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness;
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Rev. Fr. Peter Fitzgibbons said this prayer several times on during mass at Our Lady of Annunciation Parish Church in Albemarle on Friday.
Blessing of throat with prayer for the intercession of St. Blaise was conferred at Immaculate Conception in Forest City.
— Photosby Giuliana Polinari Riley, Craig Allen and Patrick Hession, coorespondents and provided by Amy Burger and Done Espina
