Origins
São Brás, a doctor in the 3rd century, went into crisis because he did not feel completely fulfilled. His dissatisfaction was not related to his profession, as he was a good doctor and provided a great service to society, but he was experiencing an existential crisis.
New behavior
Saint Blaise sought God and had an experience with Him. It is not known whether he was already baptized or asked for the grace of Holy Baptism, but his life took a turn. This change was not only in the sphere of religion; His search for Jesus Christ was linked to his professional. Many people began to be evangelized through that doctor’s quest for holiness.
Need for penance and prayer
At another stage in his life, he discerned that he needed to withdraw. For him, the retreat was to remain on Mount Argeus, in penance, in prayer, in intercession so that many would find true happiness as he found it in Christ and in the Church.
Saint Brás de Sebaste: patron saint and protector
throat protector
The story goes that, as he was heading towards martyrdom, a mother presented him with a baby in her arms who was choking to death because of a fish bone in her throat. He stopped, looked at the sky, prayed, and Our Lord healed that child. He is also the patron saint of construction workers, veterinarians, boys, bricklayers and sculptors.
Priesthood and episcopate
When the bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, where the saint was born and lived, died, the people sought him to be a pastor. He, who lived in that constant renunciation, accepted to be ordained a priest and then a bishop, not out of his own will, but out of obedience.
Behavior
Successor of the apostles and faithful to the Church, he was a courageous, prayerful man and shepherd of souls, as he cared for the faithful as a whole. He evangelized with his testimony.
The end of the life of Saint Blaise
Historical context
Saint Blaise lived at a time when the Church was harshly persecuted by the Eastern emperor, Licinius, who was the brother-in-law of the Western emperor, Constantine. For political reasons and hatred, Licinius began persecuting Christians, because he knew that Constantine was in favor of Christianity. The mayor of Sebaste, within this context and wanting to please the emperor, knowing about Bishop Saint Blaise’s reputation for holiness, sent soldiers to Mount Argeus, the place where this great saint made his episcopal home. From there, he governed the Church, although he did not just stay in that location.
Easter
São Brás was arrested and suffered a lot of blackmail to renounce his faith. Out of love for Christ and the Church, he preferred to renounce his own life. In 316, he was beheaded.
The cult of Saint Blaise
Saint Blaise is one of the saints whose reputation for holiness reached many places and, therefore, is venerated in almost all parts of the world. The miracle of the throat is commemorated, on February 3rd, with a particular liturgical rite, during which the priest blesses the throats of the faithful with two candles crossed in front of the throat.
My prayer
“Lord Jesus, in times of pandemic, many of us suffer from minor discomfort in the throat to persecution for being Christians. Give us the grace, through the intercession of Saint Blaise, to remain united to You. Heal us, Lord Jesus, from everything that prevents us from following You, as well as from all throat ailments. Amen.”
Saint Blaise, pray for us!
Other saints celebrated on February 3:
- Saint Celerinus, martyr in Tunisia
- Saint Leonius, priest in France
- Saint Adelino, priest and abbot of Belgium
- Saint Vereburga, abbess and founder
- Saint Berlinda, virgin of Belgium
- Saint Mary of Saint Ignatius (Cláudina Thévenet), founder of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary, in Lyon, France
Sources:
- vatican.va
- Roman Martyrology
- Book “A saint for every day” – Mário Sgarbossa – Luigi Giovannini
- Book “Daily Saints” – José Leite, SJ
- Book “Relation of Saints and Blesseds of the Church” – Prof. Felipe Aquino
Research and Writing: Fernando Fantini –