On February 3 rd , after Suffolk County, NY Division 2’s men’s monthly meeting was completed, Division 2’s chaplain Monsignor Brian McNamara offered to all men in attendance to have their throats blessed, to celebrate this Feast Day.
Saint Blaise is the patron saint of throat illness. He is also the patron saint of doctors who treat throat ailments. According to the Acts, while Bishop Blaise was being taken into custody, a distraught mother, whose only child was choking on a fish bone, threw herself at his feet and implored his intercession. Touched by her distress, he offered up on his prayers, and the child was cured.
Traditionally, Saint Blaise is invoked for protection against injuries and illnesses of the throat. For all our men members who had their throats blessed by Chaplain Monsignor Brian McNamara, it was comforting to have the two candles held to our throats as we heard Monsignor Brian pray: “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other
illness”.
Submitted by: Jim Killen | Division 2 Public Relations