In the early fourth century, a physician named Blaise became the Bishop of Sebastea in Armenia (known today as Silvas, Turkey). “The Acts of St. Blaise” gives us a rare biographical sketch of the man, and it attributes many healings and miracles to him — both during his life and through his intercession after his death. Because these “Acts” are of medieval origin, and many hundreds of years removed from the historical person, many are uncertain of their veracity.
One story about St. Blaise credits him with helping wounded animals. To seek comfort, these beasts would travel from the woods to the place where Blaise lived. There, he would tend to their wounds and nurse them back to health.
In another account, we are told of a woman who brought her son to Blaise. The boy had a fishbone stuck in his throat and was choking. Blaise prayed intensely to God for the child’s rescue, and the boy was saved from choking. The modern Christian tradition of praying to St. Blaise for healing of the throat and all other ailments is tied to this account.
Cross Catholic Outreach values human life and stresses the importance of treating the sick as part of its modern ministry. Medical clinics, hospitals, prenatal and postnatal home care, and education programs for good health in the developing world are just some of the outreach programs we support.
Help us improve the health of our brothers and sisters in the developing world with a gift to Cross Catholic Outreach. Visit our website to see the work that we do in helping poorest of the poor. Like St. Blaise, you can share the gifts God has given you to heal those who need help most.
– Fr. Ron Mrozinski, Outreach Priest