Annual Anointing of the Sick – Feast of St. Blaise 2025

On February 2, 2025, we will celebrate the feast of St. Blaise, a revered Bishop and martyr from Armenia. According to historical accounts, during a time of intense Christian persecution in Armenia, Bishop Blaise sought refuge in the wilderness, living as a hermit in solitude and prayer. He was later discovered by hunters and taken to prison. While being led to imprisonment, he miraculously healed a young boy who was choking on a fish bone, simply by his command. Bishop Blaise ultimately suffered torture and was beheaded in the year 316.

In honor of St. Blaise, it is customary to have our throats blessed on his feast day. To commemorate this tradition, we will be offering throat blessings at the end of all Masses on the closest weekend to February 3rd. During the blessing, two crossed candles will be held around your throat. The blessing is as follows:

“Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

We invite you to join us for this special blessing and to seek the intercession of St. Blaise for health and protection.