February 3

St. Blase lived in the fourth century. Some say that he came from a

rich family and received a Christian education. As a young man, Blase

thought about all the sufferings and troubles of the times. He began to

realize that only spiritual joys can make a person really happy. He

became a priest and then bishop of Sebaste in Armenia which is now modern

Turkey. With all his heart, Blase worked to make his people holy and

happy. He prayed and preached; he tried to help everyone.

When the governor, Licinius, began to persecute the Christians, St.

Blase was captured. He was 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 to him. She

begged him to save her child who was choking to death from a fishbone.

The saint whispered a prayer and blessed the child. He worked a miracle

that saved the child's life. That is why St. Blase is called upon by all

who have throat diseases. On his feast day, we have our throats blessed.

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. He was beheaded in the year 316.

Now St. Blase is with Jesus forever.

Today let us honor St. Blase by going without that candy bar or ice

cream cone we planned to have.