Novena to St. Blaise: 9 Days of Prayer for the Throat

A novena to St. Blaise is nine days of prayer asking the intercession of St. Blaise, the fourth-century bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, who according to tradition saved a boy choking on a fishbone and who is invoked against all illnesses of the throat. It is traditionally prayed from January 25 to February 2, ending on the eve of his feast on February 3, when Catholics receive the blessing of throats with two crossed candles. It can also be prayed at any time for someone with a throat, ear, nose or voice problem. Each day below joins a moment from his life with a passage of Scripture and a short prayer.

A short prayer to St. Blaise, written for this page:

St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, you healed a child who could not breathe.
Pray for me (or for name), and obtain healing of every illness of the throat,
and the grace to use my voice to praise God and speak with kindness. Amen.

How to pray the novena

Make the Sign of the Cross and name your intention.
Read the Scripture and the reflection for the day.
Pray the short prayer to St. Blaise above.
End with an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be.

Day 1: The good shepherd

Blaise was a physician who became bishop of Sebaste, caring for his people’s bodies and souls. Jesus said (John 10:11, Douay-Rheims):

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.

St. Blaise, pray for all bishops, priests and doctors. Amen.

Day 2: In the wilderness

When persecution broke out, Blaise withdrew to a cave in the mountains to pray. Psalm 54:7–8 (Douay-Rheims):

And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?
Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness.

St. Blaise, teach me to find peace in prayer when life is hard. Amen.

Day 3: The friend of animals

According to his legend, wild animals came to his cave, and he blessed and healed them. Isaias 11:6 (Douay-Rheims):

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them.

St. Blaise, pray for peace between people and for care of God’s creatures. Amen.

Day 4: The boy with the fishbone

On the way to prison, a mother laid at his feet her son, who was choking on a fishbone. Blaise prayed over him and the boy was healed. Jesus healed a man who could not hear or speak (Mark 7:32–35, Douay-Rheims):

And they bring to him one deaf and dumb; and they besought him that he would lay his hand upon him.
And taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he touched his tongue:
And looking up to heaven, he groaned, and said to him: Ephpheta, which is, Be thou opened.
And immediately his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke right.

St. Blaise, pray for all who suffer from illnesses of the throat. Amen.

Day 5: The candles

A poor widow whose pig had been carried off by a wolf asked Blaise for help, and the wolf gave it back. When Blaise was in prison she brought him food and candles to light his cell; this is the origin of the candles used in the blessing of throats. John 8:12 (Douay-Rheims):

Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

St. Blaise, let the light of Christ shine in my darkness. Amen.

Day 6: In prison

Hebrews 13:3 (Douay-Rheims):

Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them; and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.

St. Blaise, pray for prisoners and for all who are persecuted for their faith. Amen.

Day 7: Torture

The governor had Blaise’s flesh torn with iron combs like those used to card wool; for this he is the patron of wool combers. 2 Corinthians 4:8–10 (Douay-Rheims):

In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute;
We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:
Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.

St. Blaise, give me courage in suffering. Amen.

Day 8: Faithful unto death

Blaise was beheaded around the year 316. Apocalypse 2:10 (Douay-Rheims):

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until death: and I will give thee the crown of life.

St. Blaise, help me to be faithful to Christ until death. Amen.

Day 9: The blessing of throats

Psalm 140:3 (Douay-Rheims):

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips.

On February 3 the priest touches the throat with two crossed candles and says the blessing. Its traditional Latin form, from the Roman Ritual, 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. In English: “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from evil of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” (translation written for this page).

St. Blaise, pray for me and for all who will receive the blessing of throats. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

When should I pray the novena to St. Blaise?

From January 25 to February 2, before his feast on February 3, or at any time of need.

What is St. Blaise the patron saint of?

Throat ailments, ear, nose and throat doctors, wool combers and animals. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Can a lay person bless throats?

The Church’s book of blessings allows a lay minister to give the blessing of throats, without making the sign of the cross over the person, when a priest or deacon is not available.

More prayers

Texts and sources

John 10:11; Psalm 54:7–8; Isaias 11:6; Mark 7:32–35; John 8:12; Hebrews 13:3; 2 Corinthians 4:8–10; Apocalypse 2:10; Psalm 140:3 (Douay-Rheims).
Blessing of throats, Roman Ritual (Latin), with an English translation written for this page.