Saint of the Day
St. Blaise
St. Blaise (d. c. 316) was the Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and a physician before his conversion to full-time episcopal ministry. He is said to have lived as a hermit in a cave, caring for wild animals. He was martyred under the Emperor Licinius. The tradition of blessing throats on his feast day stems from a story of his miraculous healing of a boy with a bone lodged in his throat. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and patron saint of throat ailments.
Scripture Reading
James 5:14-15
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Reflection
St. Blaise, a bishop and physician martyred in the fourth century, is beloved for his care of the sick and his legendary healing of a boy choking on a fishbone. His feast day reminds us that prayer and physical healing are not opposites — they flow from the same source of divine compassion. We can bring our bodies, our throats, our vulnerabilities to the Lord who heals.
Prayer for Today
Father in heaven we come to you today thanking you for (insert name). We are glad that you have brought us together and allowed us to know (insert name). On this day we ask for your special blessing and a day filled with hope, joy and optimism. We pray that this coming year might be one that will bring personal success and fulfilment and accomplishment for (insert name). Father we know that you delight in blessing your children and so we ask for this. May we all be grateful for your goodness. This we ask in the name of our loving Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Amen
Amen.