Growing up in Boston, the seat of Irish Catholicism, the kids in my block, on Feb. 3 would always be saying "you going to get your throat blessed?" We heard about this Saint Blaise and he cured someone who choked on a fish bone. Of course we Catholics ate fish every Friday, 52 times at least and then we had days during the 40 days of Lent when we didnt eat meat but instead it was fish again. And now if St. Patricks Day fell on a Friday the Cardinal (an Irishman from my neighborhood) would give us a dispensation and we could eat cornbeef and cabbage.
So this little catholic boy was not taking any chances of choking on fish bones and so did the other kids. Off we all went into the church and there were lines of people standing in front of the Priest. He held two candles crossed up against our throats and said a prayer that St. Blaise would intercede for us to God and protect us from choking on those fish bones. Of course the candles were not lit so we werent sacred of getting burned. And that was back then.
And now. We here in the Chapel of Divine Mercy, will conduct the age old blessing attributed to St. Blaise, the 4th century Bishop, who was martyred for this faith and who while in prison perfomed a miracle of saving a young boys life who was choking on a fish bone. Father John Joseph will hold two gold candles (not lit) crossed against your throat and say "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, Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He will also bless you with holy water. You wil be holding a small white candle in your hand and you then take this candle home, as a reminder of the blessing you received today. You might later also lite this candle should you be coming down with the flue, etc. Father John Joseph Reid, Divine Mercy Chapel, 2749 E 10 Ave, Wilton Manors, Fl. 33334 954-567-1930 http://www.newcatholic.us/
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