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Warwick. Blessing of the Throats at St. Stephen’s for Feast of Saint Blaise

Warwick, N.Y. /
| 04 Feb 2020 | 07:18
    Parishioners receive the blessing of throats administered by Parochial Vicar Father Reynor Santiago (left) and Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr: The blessing reads: Through the intercession of Saint Blase, 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.
    Parishioners receive the blessing of throats administered by Parochial Vicar Father Reynor Santiago (left) and Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr: The blessing reads: "Through the intercession of Saint Blase, 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." ( Photo by Roger Gavan)

On Sunday, Feb. 2, the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr celebrated the day before the Feast of Saint Blaise, Feb. 3, with a blessing of throats shortly after all masses, including the 5 p.m. Saturday mass on February 1.

The Blessing of the Throats is a sacramental of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated on the feast day of Saint Blaise. It is also celebrated in some of the Eastern Catholic Churches and in parishes of the Anglican Communion.

In the fourth century Saint Blaise was reputed to have miraculously cured a little boy who nearly died because of a fish bone in his throat. He has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat.

- Roger Gavan