St. Blaise, patron saint of throat illnesses and wild animals

Feast Day celebration 

Saint: St. Blaise

Patron of: Throat Illnesses, Wild Animals

Images: Depicted with two crossed candles, iron combs or wild animals

Feast Day: February 3

In modern times, the feast day of St. Blaise is often overshadowed by the celebration of another saint’s feast day in February. However, many Catholics still head to church on February 3 to get their throats blessed in honor of St. Blaise’s feast day. With two blessed candles crossed at the throats of faithful, the priest offers this blessing, “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, may God deliver you from the aliments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Although there is little recorded information on St. Blaise, it is believed he was bishop of Sebastea in Armenia during the early fourth century.  However, it was not until the eighth century that stories of his life began to circulate.

According to the Acts of St. Blaise, written 400 years after his death, Blaise was a good bishop who encouraged the spiritual and physical health of his people. He was forced to flee to the wild to avoid being persecuted for his Christian beliefs. While in the wilderness, Blaise encountered many sick, wild animals in a cave. He moved among them, without fear, curing their ills. Hunters came upon this scene and immediately recognized Blaise as a bishop. They took him captive and transported him back to the town to stand trial.

As he was being escorted to the governor for prosecution, he encountered a woman and her son. The boy had a fish bone lodged in his throat and was choking to death. At Blaise’s command, the boy was able to cough up the bone, yet Blaise was still taken to the governor for prosecution. At first, the governor tried to get Blaise to renounce his Christianity and worship pagan idols. When he refused he was beaten. When he refused again, he was hung from a tree and iron combs (like those of English wool combers) were used to tear the flesh from his body. He was then beheaded. (English wool combers took Blaise as their patron saint because of this.)

In another version of the legend, while his captors were transporting him, they happened upon a wolf with a woman’s pig in his mouth. Blaise convinced the wolf to release the pig, yet his captors proceeded with plans to return him for trial. At trial, he was sentenced to starve to death. While in prison serving his sentence of starvation, Blaise was secretly kept alive by the woman whose pig he had rescued. She snuck food and candles into the prison for him. Ultimately, the governor resorted to killing him by beheading.  

Though it is not readily discernable which stories and legends hold more truth, it is not important. What is known is that St. Blaise dedicated his life entirely to God and it is for that reason that he is still venerated today. It is also with this knowledge that we may ask Blaise to intercede in our prayers to God.   

Article by Gillian Lester-George