St. Blaise was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia in the fourth century; his cult spread through the medieval Church because he was said to have saved a boy who was choking on a fishbone. The blessing is a liturgical rite of the Church, given in the Book of Blessings and ordinarily celebrated within Mass or a celebration of the word of God on his optional memorial, 3 February. It is not a private devotion, and it is not a guarantee of health: it is the Church praying for the sick through a martyr's intercession.

Go to a parish celebrating the blessing on 3 February and come forward after the homily or after Communion. The minister — a priest, deacon, or a lay minister using the rite provided for lay ministers — touches the throat with two candles blessed the previous day at the Presentation of the Lord and joined in the form of a cross, saying: 'Through the intercession of Saint 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, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' Where the numbers are large, the blessing may be given to all at once with hands extended over the people.

Through the intercession of Saint 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, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

liturgical