February 3
St Blaise
Feast shown for the year 2027; movable feasts can vary from year to year.
St Blaise is venerated as a bishop and martyr whose life has become a rich source of inspiration for the faithful, especially in the Eastern and Western Churches. While precise details about his birth and early life are uncertain—much of what is known comes from later traditions—he is said to have been the bishop of Sebastea (in present-day Turkey) during the early 4th century. He ministered during a time of intense persecution of Christians under Roman rule, and according to tradition, was arrested for his faith, ultimately enduring torture and martyrdom around the year 316.
St Blaise became particularly renowned for his reputation as a healer. The most enduring legend recounts his miraculous intervention to save a child from choking on a fishbone, which led to his association with the blessing of throats—a ritual still practiced in many Catholic parishes on his feast, asking for protection from ailments of the throat and other illnesses. The Church keeps the memorial of St Blaise to honor his steadfast witness to Christ, his role as a pastor and intercessor, and his example of compassion for both spiritual and physical suffering.
Devotion to St Blaise spread widely throughout Europe, and his intercession continues to be sought by the faithful, particularly in times of illness and need. The Church's remembrance of him calls each believer to fidelity in faith, courageous witness, and concern for the suffering of others.
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Liturgical texts of February 3, 2027
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingHe 12, 4-7.11-15
Brothers,
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood
in your struggle against sin,
and you have forgotten this word of encouragement,
which is addressed to you as to sons:
My son, do not disregard the Lord's lessons,
do not be discouraged when he reproaches you.
When the Lord loves someone,
he gives them good lessons;
he corrects all those whom he receives as his children.
What you are enduring is a lesson.
God treats you as his sons;
and what son is there whose father does not give lessons?
When one has just received a lesson,
one does not feel joy but rather sadness.
But later, once you have gotten back on track thanks to the lesson,
it produces a harvest of peace and justice.
That is why,
strengthen your limp hands and your weak knees,
and make straight paths for your feet.
In this way, the one who limps will not sprain himself;
but on the contrary, he will be healed.
Eagerly seek peace with everyone,
and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Be vigilant:
see to it that no one misses out on the grace of God,
that no root bearing bitter fruit grows up among you,
which would cause trouble,
and many would be contaminated by it.
– The word of the Lord.
Psalm102 (103), 1-2, 13-14, 17-18a
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
bless his holy name, all my being!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
do not forget any of his benefits!
As a father has tenderness for his children,
the Lord has tenderness for those who fear him!
He knows what we are made of,
he remembers that we are dust.
But the love of the Lord, for those who fear him,
is from everlasting to everlasting,
and his justice is for the children of their children,
for those who keep his covenant.
GospelMc 6, 1-6
At that time,
Jesus went to his hometown,
and his disciples followed him.
On the Sabbath day,
he began to teach in the synagogue.
Many who heard him were astonished and said:
“Where did he get all this?
What is this wisdom that has been given to him,
and these great miracles accomplished by his hands?
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?
Are not his sisters here with us?”
And they were deeply offended by him.
Jesus said to them:
“A prophet is despised only in his own country,
his relatives and in his own house.”
And there he could do no mighty work;
he only healed a few sick people
by laying his hands on them.
And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Then Jesus went around teaching in the surrounding villages.
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org