Prayer Service St. Blaise Catholic Schools Week 2018 Blaise was a well educated Physician who became Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He was persecuted by Agricola, The famous Roman general, who ordered Blaise to renounce his faith. When Blaise refused he was thrown into prison where he helped sick prisoners and famously saved a child who was choking on a fish bone. Blaise refused to renounce his faith and was tortured by having his flesh torn with wool combs. He was finally beheaded on the orders of Agricola. Saint Blaise is the patron saint of throats because he saved a child from choking, wild animals as they came for him to cure them when ill and, the wool trade because he was tortured with wool combs being used to rip off his flesh. A special sacramental — the blessing of throats — takes place on this day, and the aid of St. Blaise is asked in delivering the faithful from throat ailments and other evils. Reflection: Each of us experiences a need of healing in some area of our lives. Today, invite God to come into these places with the comfort of his presence. Opening Prayer Saint Blaise, pray for us that we may not suffer from illnesses of the throat and pray that all who are suffering be healed by God's love.Amen Scripture Reading Mark 16:14-18 Jesus said to the eleven, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Reflection- Intercessions Let us pray... Let us pray for present day bishops and our own Bishop Bill, that they may be instruments of healing. Lord Hear Us. For those who suffer from sickness and disease, that they may receive healing, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear Us. For the mentally ill and for their families, that they may receive comfort, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear Us. For those with physical disabilities, that the strength of Christ may invigorate them, we pray to the Lord. R. For doctors and nurses, and for all who care for the sick, we pray to the Lord. R. For those who seek the prayers of Saint Blase today, that they may be protected from afflictions of the throat and other forms of illness, we pray to the Lord. R. Closing Prayer .