Blessing of Candles on the feast of Saint Blase, Bishop & Martyr


FEAST DAY: February 3




V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

O God of gentleness and might, by You Word alone You did create the manifold things of the world, and did cause this same Word, Maker of all things, to take flesh in order to repurchase us. You are great and wonderful, awesome and praiseworthy, a doer of wonderful deeds. Wherefore, in professing his fealty to You, the glorious martyr and bishop, Blasé did not fear any manner of torment, but gladly accepted the palm of martyrdom. In virtue of which, among other gifts, You did bestow on him this prerogative -of healing all ailments of the throat. Thus we beg Your Majesty that overlooking our guilt, and considering only his merits and intercession You world grant to bless + and sanctify + and bestow Your grace on these candles. Let all Christians of good faith whose necks are touched with them be healed of every malady of the throat, and being restored in health and cheer, let them return thanks in Your holy Church, and give praise to Your wondrous name which is blessed forever. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, eternally.

R. Amen.

The candles are sprinkled with holy water. Then the pries, holding two crossed candles to the throat of each one to be blessed, as they kneel before the altar, says:

Through the intercession of Saint Blase, Bishop and Martyr, may God deliver you from sickness of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.