IV class
Violet
Commemoration of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr
The blessing of throats is traditionally done today, on St. Blaise’s Day. For notes about the blessing, see Reminder below; they are included also in the notes for the Season after Epiphany, accessed by clicking the Season icon at the bottom of the page.
The First Friday votive Masses may be said: “two Masses of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, on the first Friday of each month, in churches and oratories in which special devotions are held on that day in honor of the Sacred Heart” (Rubricæ generales, 385b).
Sacred Heart votive: (White) Mass of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Gloria, commemoration added, no Credo, proper preface
OR
Mass of St. Blaise (Red), Gloria, no Credo, common preface
OR
Mass of preceding Sunday (Violet), commemoration added, no Credo, common preface
Matins: Invitatorium and Hymn per annum as given in the psalter; lessons from occurring scripture, no Te Deum
Lauds: Antiphons and psalms of the feria (first schema); remainder per annum as given in the psalter; oration of the preceding Sunday; commemoration added
Hours: Antiphons and psalms of the feria; remainder per annum as given in the psalter; oration of the preceding Sunday
Vespers: Antiphons and psalms of the feria; remainder per annum as given in the psalter; oration of the preceding Sunday
Compline: Of the feria
– The blessing of throats takes place today. If the throats are blessed immediately before or after Mass and the celebrant does not depart the sanctuary, he may simply remove the maniple and remain in Mass vestments to bive the blessing. If the blessing is given apart from Mass, the priest wears a surplice and red stole.
– Only candles blessed with the proper form given in the Ritual for the blessing of candles on the feast of St. Blaise may be used to give the blessing of throats. The candles are customarily joined with a red ribbon so that they form a cross shape (more akin to St. Andrew’s Cross: X). Once the candles are blessed, they may be stored in the sacristy and used for the blessing of throats each year. It is not necessary to re-bless St. Blaise candles each year.
– The throats are blessed thus: the faithful kneel at the altar rail (servers at the footpace). There, the priest with surplice and red stole, or the Mass vestments sans maniple holds the unlighted candles against the throat of the person with his left hand, using his right hand to make the sign of the cross in the blessing.
– The blessing of throats is: Per intercessionem Sancti Blasii, Episcopi et Martyris, liberet te Deus a malo gutturis et a quolibet alio malo. In nomine Patris + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
– The blessing of throats with these blessed candles may be done also on other days of the year, such as on the following Sunday for the benefit of the faithful who were not able to attend Mass on St. Blaise’s day, whenever his feast occurs during the week.