St Blaise, venerated as bishop of Sebastea (modern Turkey) and martyr, is especially known as patron saint of those with afflictions of the throat. According to tradition Blaise became a bishop at a young age; in an age of persecution which resulted in his martyrdom, Blaise was charitable to all and extended his loving gentleness also to animals. The cure of boy seriously at risk owing to a fishbone stuck in his throat resulted in the patronage with which Blaise is so well associated. Devotion to him reached a high point in the Middle Ages. St Blaise remains particularly popular in Germany; his name is honoured, among other places, in the town of St Blazey in Cornwall, England.
At Masses on Tuesday 3rd February all present may receive the annual blessing for good health, particularly of the throat.
(Image: Panel painting of Saint Blaise (c. 1460), associated with Juan Sánchez, a painter active in Burgos, Spain between 1440 and 1470)