Throat and Candle blessings

Although this coming Sunday we celebrate the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the blessing of throats may be given on Sunday by a priest or deacon, (or lay minister who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister and does not make the sign of the cross for the blessing) in honor of St. Blaise, whose feast day is February 3^rd. Legend has it that a boy who had a fishbone stuck in his throat was brought to St. Blaise and when the boy was about to die, St. Blaise healed him.

Within Mass, the blessing follows the homily and general intercessions (or for pastoral reasons may take the place of the final blessing of the Mass.)

Outside Mass, it is preceded by a brief celebration of the Word.

At Morning or Evening Prayer, it follows the reading, responsory and homily.

If, for pastoral reasons, each individual cannot be blessed in the usual manner, a priest or deacon may give the blessing to all by extending his hands, without crossed candles, over the people while saying the prayer of blessing.

The formula for blessing is:

"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."

And of course, who can forget Candlemas Day! Also known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, celebrated this Saturday, February 2nd, on when candles are traditionally blest (and if lucky enough, used in procession!)