Christians around the world celebrate the Feb. 3 feast of St. Blaise, a 4th-century bishop dedicated to increasing the spiritual and physical health of his people in Sebastea, 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. Parishes around the Charlotte diocese observed this tradition, including St. Mark Church and School in Huntersville and St. Francis Church in Mocksville.
— Catholic News Herald, Provided photos
Father Eric Kowalski blesses his parishioners’ throats on the Feb. 3 feast of St. Blaise.
Father Eric Kowalski blesses his parishioners’ throats on the Feb. 3 feast of St. Blaise.
Father Eric Kowalski blesses his parishioners’ throats on the Feb. 3 feast of St. Blaise.
Father Eric Kowalski blesses his parishioners’ throats on the Feb. 3 feast of St. Blaise.
Father Melchesideck Yumo and Deacon Rich McCarron imparted the traditional throat blessing for the Feast Day of St. Blaise at the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
Father Melchesideck Yumo and Deacon Rich McCarron imparted the traditional throat blessing for the Feast Day of St. Blaise at the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
Father Melchesideck Yumo and Deacon Rich McCarron imparted the traditional throat blessing for the Feast Day of St. Blaise at the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
Father Melchesideck Yumo and Deacon Rich McCarron imparted the traditional throat blessing for the Feast Day of St. Blaise at the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
Father Melchesideck Yumo and Deacon Rich McCarron imparted the traditional throat blessing for the Feast Day of St. Blaise at the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
. Father Yumo then went to the school to give the blessing to St. Mark Catholic School students.
The middle school students were on their way to the annual Catholic Schools Week student volleyball games when they dress in team costumes—a great image of the intersection of faith and fun at Catholic schools in the diocese.
The middle school students were on their way to the annual Catholic Schools Week student volleyball games when they dress in team costumes—a great image of the intersection of faith and fun at Catholic schools in the diocese.
The middle school students were on their way to the annual Catholic Schools Week student volleyball games when they dress in team costumes—a great image of the intersection of faith and fun at Catholic schools in the diocese.
Christians around the world celebrate the Feb. 3 feast of St. Blaise, a 4th-century bishop dedicated to increasing the spiritual and physical health of his people in Sebastea, Armenia.
