Blessing of the Throats

The Blasius is a sacramental blessing of the Catholic Church. The Blasius blessing after Mass at the Memorial of St. Blaise, February 3, donated, traditionally often been the day before after the Holy Mass of the feast of Presentation of the Lord ( Candlemas ) and in many places in addition on the following Sunday. It can also be donated in a liturgy of the word.

Blaise of Sebaste was according to tradition, Bishop of Sebaste in Asia Minor and suffered martyrdom 316. The Holy one of the fourteen Holy Helpers. The most famous story about Blasius reported as a young man who threatened to choke on a fishbone, saved the life during his captivity in a Roman prison. Therefore, the church issued the Blasius blessing for protection against neck diseases. In this the believing confidence comes to the promise of salvation of God especially for the physical well-being of people in need of redemption expressed. The bestowal of blessing is detected since the 16th century. Other blessings on Blasiustag (such as water, bread, wine and fruit) are no longer in use.

In the gift of the Blasius blessing of the priest or the deacon holds the believer before two crossed candles burning at the neck. The blessing from the Benediktionale is:

Or:

The believer responds with Amen. The blessing can be received standing or kneeling.