Holy Mass will be offered for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany at Sacred Heart R.C Church, Morriston, Swansea on Sunday 3rd February at 4 p.m.
What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey Him?
Confessions will be available before Holy Mass and there will be tea and coffee available afterwards in the Sacred Heart Centre.
Sunday is also the commemoration of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr. The traditional blessing of throats will take place after Holy Mass on Sunday.
For a discussion of the Gospel reading for this traditional Mass and the propers themselves, please click here
St. Blaise
Died: 316 AD, Sivas, Turkey
Full name: Saint Blase
Attributes: Wool comb, candles, tending a choking boy or animals
Feasts: february 11 (eastern orthodox and greek catholic), february 3 (roman catholic)
According to the Acts, while Blaise was being taken into custody, a distraught mother, whose only child was choking on a fishbone, threw herself at his feet and implored his intercession. Touched at her grief, he offered up his prayers, and the child was cured. Consequently, Saint Blaise is invoked for protection against injuries and illnesses of the throat.
In many places on the day of his feast the blessing of St. Blaise is given: two burning candles, blessed on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord ("candlemas"), are held in a crossed position by a priest over the heads of the faithful or the people are touched on the throat with them. At the same time the following blessing is given: "May Almighty God at the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, preserve you from infections of the throat and from all other afflictions". Then the priest makes the sign of the cross over the faithful.
