Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There’s a short quote associated with St. Anselm that I often go back to, both in my personal reflection and counseling others. In Latin, it’s: “Fides quarens intellectum.” Roughly translated, it means, “Faith seeking meaning.” I often use it to refute the idea or the claim that our experience of faith is meant to be somewhat blind, that we need to accept everything simply on the basis of faith. That’s a somewhat simplistic view; both of matters of faith and of us as human beings. As people, wanting to know more and to understand better the things around us is a natural part of who we are. And doing so in the realm of faith is necessary at times.

Which brings me to the actual topic of my letter this week and something I hope will be edifying for everyone. Most of us, either over the weekend, or on Monday, or possibly at the RE Mass this week, we will have our throats blessed in association with the Feast of St. Blaise. But why do we do that? And how is it that it looks the way that it does, with candles tied with ribbon that we use as we say a certain prayer? And who’s St. Blaise anyhow?

Let’s start with that last question first and see if that clears up some of these other questions. According to tradition, St. Blaise was a bishop in what is now modern-day Turkey in the 4 th century. It was a time of persecution for the Church and as bishop, St. Blaise clashed with the political authorities of his day. So much so, that he was arrested and eventually put to death for standing up for the faith. Not much else is
known for certain about him, but there are two incidents that are attributed to his life that contributed to modern celebration of him. St. Blaise, as he was being taken off to prison, encountered a boy who was choking on a fishbone and he miraculously dislodged it for the boy. And thereafter, a kindly woman would go and visit St. Blaise, bringing him food to eat and candles to help light his dark cell. Using these
elements of his life, the Church honors St. Blaise by invoking his help and intercession, through the annual blessing of throats.

But there’s a deeper lesson behind the life story of St. Blaise and the blessing of throats for our experience of faith. Yes, it’s nice to think that we share in the great tradition and that God’s grace will be with us after our throat is blessed. But it’s also a reminder that we share a constant connection with the saints, and how they lived their lives and how we live ours aren’t wholly disconnected. Could we bless without candles? Sure. Will we definitely get sick without the blessing? Of course not. But in the life and friendship with St. Blaise, we see the beautiful invitation to live a life closer to God.

Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan