St. Blaise: Patron of Throats and Speech – Feb 03 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 03, 2026, celebrating the memorial of St. Blaise, highlighting his life as a physician-turned-bishop, his martyrdom, and his role as patron saint of throat ailments, culminating in a traditional candle blessing for healing through Christ's cross.

Father introduces St. Blaise, the martyr bishop of Sebaste (now Sivas, Turkey), who died in 316 A.D. under Emperor Licinius's persecution. Initially, a physician healing bodies, Blaise became a bishop to heal souls, echoing how grace builds on nature, as in Jesus calling Peter and Andrew from fishermen to "fishers of men" in Matthew 4:19. During persecution, Blaise hid in a cave but was arrested by Governor Agricola's men. As he was led to prison, a mother brought her choking son, whom Blaise healed through prayer, mirroring the Gospel's miracles. Refusing to renounce his faith, Blaise endured beatings, flesh torn by iron combs, and beheading. In the Middle Ages, St. Blaise was hugely popular; his name from Greek "blaisos" (lisping or stuttering) made him patron for throat illnesses, speech impediments, singers, preachers, and those anxious about proclaiming faith. Father urges invoking Blaise for help in speaking up for Christ. As one of the 14 Holy Helpers (Nothelfer), he was venerated for powerful intercession against diseases like the Black Death. The homily notes the upcoming St. Blaise blessing with crossed candles from Candlemas, symbolizing Christ's cross and healing through His passion—echoing Blaise's beheading. Referencing the Alleluia verse from Matthew 8:17, where Christ bore our infirmities, Father affirms the Lord's ongoing healing work. He invites prayers to Blaise for all forms of healing—physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological—and to Our Lady for grace to witness faithfully like Blaise.

St. Blaise - Martyr bishop physician - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-blaise/
Matthew 4:19 - Calling fishers of men - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/4?19
Matthew 8:17 - Christ bears infirmities - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?17
CCC 1501 - Christ heals through Church - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1501
CCC 1520 - Anointing for healing - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1520
CCC 1674 - Sacramentals for blessings - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c4a1.htm#1674
Catechism on Saints' Intercession - Invocation of holy ones - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm#956

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Blase - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=28
Readings: Tuesday 4th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020326.cfm
1st: 2sa 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30-19:3
Resp: psa 86:1-6
Gsp: mar 5:21-43

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1028&r=1584

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IiCwVZK1aX0