Catholics around the world celebrate the Feb. 3 feast of St. Blaise (Feb. 11 in the Eastern Church), a 4th-century bishop dedicated to increasing the spiritual and physical health of his people in Armenia. Legend has it that a mother came to St. Blaise with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At the saintly bishop’s command, the child coughed up the bone. For centuries, Catholics have honored the feast of St. Blaise by having their throats blessed by a priest to help protect them from diseases of the throat. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. Many parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte hold these blessings. Call your parish office or check the bulletin for details.