Blessing of the Throats

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The Blessing of the Throats is a Catholic ritual usually observed on the feast of Saint Blaise (February 3rd).

One variation is the consecration by prayer of two candles, which are crossed and held over the heads or against the throats of the people being blessed. Another is to dip the wick of a candle in consecrated oil, and to touch the throats with the wick.

The following blessing is usually given: "Per intercessionem S. Blasii liberet te Deus a malo gutteris et a quovis alio malo" (May God at the intercession of St. Blasius preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil), sometimes followed by "in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus," as the priest makes the sign of the cross over the recipient.