St. Blaise.

Now here is a good Saint to invoke if you are suffering with any kind of ailment to do with the.
St. Blaise was a fourth century bishop who lived in Armenia. Devotion to this Saint has been popular throughout the ages but much of what we know comes to us through myths and legends.

Historical proof exists that Blaise was martyred for the Faith in his diocese of Sebastea in Armenia in the year 316. The legends surrounding Blaise state that during the persecution of Licinius, Blaise was forced into exile he fled to the hills in the backcountry of his diocese where he spent his days in prayer and penance,living the life of a hermit, surrounded by the wild animals as his only companions, who it is said never harmed him.

 One day while seeking wild animals for the amphitheater, soldiers came across Blaise and arrested him because they discovered he was a Christian. Blaise was taken to prison, but on the journey a couple of incidents happened. The soilders came across a child who was choking on a fishbone Blaise interceded for the child and he was cured. It is also believed that he talked a wolf into releasing a pig that belonged to a poor woman. Can you just imagine that wolf with a hangdog expression in his eyes looking at St. Blaise? Neither of these incidents made any impression on the solders and they continued to force Blaise to journey onto prison.
 While in prison, Blaise confirmed that he was a Christian and was given the chance to recant his profession of Faith and offer worship to the pagan idols. Blaise, needless to say refused and even though he was cruelly tortured he would not refute his belief in the risen Lord.
During his stay in prison Blaise was visited by the old lady whose pig he had saved from the jaws of the wolf, she brought him food and candles as way of thanks for his kindness to her.
In due course Blaise was beheaded and like all Martyrs entered into the glory of eternal life.

St Blaise is the patron saint of throat sufferers, and many churches hold a special ceremony in his honour, in which blessed candles are crossed beneath people’s throats and a special blessing is invoked. At this time of year when so many coughs and colds abound it is good idea to take the children to mass and get Father to bless their throats.

Prayer to Saint Blaise
Dear bishop and lover of souls, you willingly bore heavy crosses in faithful imitation of Jesus. Similarly, with Christ like compassion you cured many sufferers. Then after undergoing horrible torture, you died as a martyr for Christ. Obtain a cure for these {describe the afflictions} ills if this is agreeable to God. Amen.