St. Blaise, as a young man, was a doctor, and a very good one. All the sufferings and troubles he saw made him realize that only spiritual joys can make us really happy. He became a priest and then a Bishop. With all his heart, St. Blaise worked to make his people holy and happy. He prayed and preached; he tried to help everyone.
When the Emperor Licinius began to persecute the Christians, St. Blaise was captured and sent to prison to be beheaded. On the way, people crowded the road to see their beloved bishop for the last time. He blessed them all, even the pagans. A poor mother rushed up and begged him to save her child who was choking to death from a fishbone. The Saint prayed and then worked the miracle. This is why St. Blaise is called upon by all those who have throat diseases. On his feast day, we have our throats blessed, and we ask him to protect us from all sicknesses of the throat.
In prison, the saintly bishop converted many pagans. No torture could make him give up his faith in Jesus. Finally he was beheaded and went to be with Jesus forever.
Today let us honor St. Blaise by going without that candy bar or ice cream cone we planned to have.
