Saint Blaise

     Today we celebrate Saint Blaise! He shares the feast day with Saint Ansgar, a French Benedictine Monk and missionary, widely known as the "Apostle of the North" for bringing the knowledge of Jesus Christ to Scandinavia. We get double the Saints today as we recall Saint Blaise also. Blaise was a great Bishop who was arrested for his faith. While being taken to jail, a desperate mother placed her choking son at his feet. Saint Blaise was known for working miracles, and in his presence, the boy was healed. On this Feast day, the Church offers a special blessing of the throats. The priest invokes this special blessing of protection and healing with two crossed candles to the throats of believers and invokes a special Blessing from Saint Blaise. 

     Even as a small child, I recall this great feast day with love and tenderness, as our whole family walked to Church for this special blessing. As the candles were placed upon my throat, I felt a Peace, that this great Saint was always going to protect my throat and how wonderful it would be to not ever have a sore throat again. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, I still got occasional sore throats, but the Peace never went away. Special Holy Blessings are meant to be just that. A Peace that never goes away no matter how old you grow to be. Symbols of God's great Love and protection for every part of our bodies and souls. A remembrance of great Saints, such as Saint Blaise, to recall in any time of need. 

     God has our back, no matter what the need is. Eyes, ears, and yes, even our throats. Placing these great Saints at our disposal as intercessors to the Heavenly Throne of God. Praise God from whom "all" blessings flow! 

     God is our healer. Our Doctor. The cure we ask for in all times of need or trouble. Saint Blaise, like all the Saints, are sent here as helpers in His great works of healing. Ask God through your prayers, to help you be His instrument also. His helper. He will use us and we will triumph in spreading the Truth of His Kingdom while on Earth by helping this great doctor, handing Him the surgical tools needed to help one's Heart or Soul. The tools being our prayers. Prayer is our greatest tool. We come right into the operating room, watching the Great Doctor work. 

     We ready our Souls, to meet all of these great Saints whose Feast days we celebrate while awaiting our arrival in Heaven. Stay close to each and every one of them. We will meet them all and they will greet us as their True and Faithful Friends! 

     Saint Blaise and Saint Ansgar, pray for us!