Happy St. Blaise Day!  With all the sore throats and illness going on around here, I thought I would bring up the patron Saint of throats, St. Blaise. That’s right, our Catholic Brothers and Sisters actually have a Patron Saint of throats. Tradition says that this priest healed a young boy who had a fish bone stuck in his throat (ouch!).

If you didn’t know, today is the celebration of St. Blaise. It is the day that many Catholics receive a blessing of the throat by placing candles around the throat and saying a prayer.  Even though I am not a Catholic, I have been struggling from a sore throat and cough all week and this blessing thing is sounding pretty darn good.

OK, asking for a dead Saint to intercede for me is not really my thing, but I understand the appeal. If anything, it is nice to think that someone somewhere may actually be able to take this throat tickle away! Besides, it’s not a bad practice to be specific our prayers anyway. I think God wants us to be precise. Why not light a candle and say a quick prayer?!? Can’t do any worse than the stupid cough drops!

So, got a frog in your throat?

Using your voice for anything important today?

Eat a fish sandwich too fast?

                Fear not, there just may be some relief coming your way!