Saint Blaise

Feast  Day: February 3


Only a few facts are known about Saint Blaise.

Saint Blaise was born in to a noble and affluent family who raised him to be a man of God. He spent time studying philosophy and later medicine.

Saint Blaise became the bishop of Sebastea in Armenia during the reign of Licinius in the early fourth century, when a series of persecution began again.  In one of his prayers, he got a message to set off to the mountains so as to escape persecution. He lived in a cave on Mount Argeus but as soon as people found out where he was, they came flocking to him from nearby countries and provinces for the cure of their ailments both spiritual and physical.

He was discovered by the huntsmen when they saw the myriads of people waiting outside the cave while Blaise was praying.  He was arrested, put in prison and was martyred. While in prison, a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat -this led to the blessing of throats on February 3- Saint Blaise’s feast day.

The blessing of St. Blaise is done by consecrating two candles which are then held in a crossed position by a priest and pressed against the throat or over the head as the following blessing is said: "May God at the intercession of St. Blasius preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil."

Patronage:

Saint Blaise is venerated as the patron saint of:

Throat illnesses

Animals

Wool combers

Veterinarians

Various places and professions associated with throat diseases

Feast Day

Roman Catholic Church: Celebrated on February 3.

Eastern Orthodox Church: Celebrated on February 11.

Prayer to Saint Blaise

"O Glorious Saint Blaise, who by your martyrdom has left to the Church a precious witness to the faith, obtain for us the grace to preserve within ourselves this divine gift, and to defend, without human respect, both by word and example, the truth of that same faith, which is so wickedly attacked and slandered in these our times. You who miraculously cured a little child when it was at the point of death by reason of an affliction of the throat, grant us your powerful protection in like misfortunes; and, above all, obtain for us the grace of dying a holy death. Amen."

Reflection:

Reflecting on the life of Saint Blaise encourages us to consider the strength of faith in the face of adversity. His commitment to serving others, despite the danger to his own life, highlights the virtue of selflessness. In our own lives, we can draw inspiration from his example to aid those in need and to stand firm in our beliefs, even when faced with challenges. The story of Saint Blaise also reminds us of the power of intercessory prayer and the importance of spiritual well-being alongside physical health.

Saint Maria Goretti

Feast Day: July 6


Maria Teresa Goretti was born in Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy, on October 16 1890. She was the third out of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. By the time she turned six, her family had become so poor that they were forced to give up their farm and moved to the Serenelli farm to survive. His father, a farmworker died of malaria and her mother had to struggle to feed her children. Her mother, sisters and brother worked in the fields while Maria stayed home to clean the house, sew and cook.


While alone in the house, sewing, Alessandro (Alexander) Serenelli came in and tried to rape her. Maria Goretti was 11. Not submitting to her assailant, she was stabbed several times with a knife.
As Maria Goretti lay in the hospital for two days, she prayed and forgave her attacker and died holding a crucifix and looking at the picture of the Blessed Virgin.

Alexander was captured and since he was a minor the sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison. He remained unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden and Maria was there giving him lilies. This vision led to his conversion and later became a laybrother at the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin) where he worked as a receptionist and gardener.

Maria Goretti was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950 and Assunta attended the canonization of her child. Alexander too witnessed St. Maria Goretti's canonization.

Maria Goretti, one of the youngest canonized saints is represented as a young girl with a bouquet of lilies in her hands.

Patronage:

Saint Maria Goretti is the patron saint of youth, young women, purity, and victims of rape.

Prayer to Saint Maria Goretti:

"Dear Saint Maria Goretti, your heart was so full of mercy that you forgave your assailant even as you lay dying. Help us to show mercy and forgiveness to others. Teach us to protect purity of heart, body, and soul, and to value the dignity of each person. Guide the youth in choosing what is right and help those who have fallen to rise again. Through your intercession, may we all find the strength to flee from sin and serve God with a pure heart. Amen."

Reflection:

*St. Maria Goretti prayed for Alexander - the first step and act in forgiveness as this let's you focus on God instead of the offender.

To forgive and be forgiven are two powerful, grace-filled experiences.

St Maria Goretti had extended to Alexander the love and forgiveness that God has extended to all of us through Our Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Because of this St Maria Goretti was able to see her assailant as Jesus sees him. She loved as God loves.

*Reflecting on the life of Saint Maria Goretti, we are reminded of the profound virtues of forgiveness and purity. Her story is a testament to the strength of faith and the power of forgiveness, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. Her young age and steadfast commitment to her beliefs challenge us to consider our own convictions and the depth of our forgiveness. In a world where purity and innocence are often undervalued, Saint Maria Goretti stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the sanctity of every human life. Her legacy inspires us to seek a path of virtue, forgiveness, and love, no matter the challenges we face.